Publication Date: 2018/04/02

Statement attributable to Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa

AMMAN/SANAA, 2 April 2018 – “The United Nations has verified the killing of several children in an attack today in the coastal city of Hodeida in western Yemen. Many children are reported missing as the injured and killed are still being pulled out from the rubble.

“This is one of the deadliest attacks on children since the conflict in Yemen escalated in March 2015.

“None of the parties to this brutal war have for one second respected the fundamental principle of protection of children. Children continue to be the victims of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.

“Tomorrow, the international community will come together in Geneva in response to the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen. UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict and those who have influence on them to immediately take action and abide by their legal obligation to protect children and always keep them out of harm’s way.

“There can be absolutely no justification for such blatant disregard for children’s rights and international humanitarian law.”

Notes to editors:

Find out more about UNICEF’s work for children in Yemen here: http://uni.cf/yemencrisis

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