Yemen: children are the most affected due to the war

Millions of people affected by the famine, and by a war that does not seem to be resolved, are the main reasons for the crisis in Yemen

Since 2015, Yemen is mired in a war that seems to be unknown or even forgotten by the world. In that year, the Houthi rebels, who are part of a branch of Shiite Islam called Zaidism and as the BBC indicates, took control of the country. The rebel group demanded that the government have "greater Shia participation in the decision-making of the Arab country."

Leer en español: Yemen: los niños son los más afectados debido a la guerra

As a result of this conflict, 14 million people (out of a total of 28.25 million) are on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations Organization. In the chilling figure, children are also included. According to the NGO report, Save the Children, 85,000 children under 5 have died of hunger.

Geert Cappelaere regional director of UNICEF for the Middle East and North Africa "Yemen is a living hell for children". Cappelaere also said that "1.8 million children suffer from acute malnutrition. 400,000 children on any given day suffering from a severe acute form of life-threatening malnutrition. "

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The newspaper La Jornada, publishes the story of Fatima Salman, whose son suffers malnutrition, feels increasingly desperate, as the war is lengthening. "My husband had a job before the war, he earned enough to feed us, but now there is nothing. We want this war to end, but we see that it is getting worse. "

What are the possible solutions?

Before the alarming figures, the emissary of the United Nations, Martin Griffthis traveled this Friday November 23 to Hodeida and met with the leaders of the rebellion. Since last Wednesday, Griffthis is in the capital of Yemen, Sana, trying to mediate a peace process.

Also, the port city Hodeida is of crucial importance due to its geographical position, it is located in the west of Yemen since it is located in the coastal zone. From that point, the entry of humanitarian aid and imports that this country receives is allowed.

During the meeting and according to information from the Andalou Agency, the spokesman of the Houthis Mohammad Abdussalam, through a statement said "that the participants of the meeting, including Griffiths, discussed the conditions for a ceasefire and offered medical treatment abroad. for the Houthis. " In addition, the statement affirms that the maximum leader of the revolution, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, "called for an end to economic restrictions in areas controlled by the Houthis."

Letters in the matter

Several European countries such as Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Germany have repudiated the acts of war that are being lived in Yemen, cutting arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These last two countries have helped the government of Adbo Rabbu Mansur Hadi, to fight against the Houthi rebels.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland stated that "We observe the export criteria of the European Union, with special attention to Human Rights and the protection of peace, security, and stability". Thus, the country has taken IGNORE INTO account the alarming situation in Yemen.

On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry of Denmark said in a statement presented last week that "Saudi Arabia was discussed with the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) (…) I must say that we are in a new situation for the deterioration of the already terrible situation in Yemen (…) In these circumstances, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to suspend exports of arms and military equipment to Saudi Arabia. "

Also, at the beginning of November, both Germany and Norway ratified their decision. Thus, and according to Hispan Tv, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Soreide explained that "recent events in Saudi Arabia and the region, as well as the unpredictable situation in Yemen, create an unacceptable risk that the products or materials in question are being used for internal oppression or serious violations of Humanitarian Law, the license is not guaranteed. "

The war in Yemen, which takes three years, will not be easily resolved given the political and economic interests in the region. However, it is important to try to reach an agreement so that children and adults do not continue to be victims of the famine that the country suffers.

LatinAmerican Post | Laura Viviana Guevara Muñoz

Translated from "Yemen: los niños son los más afectados debido a la guerra"

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