Yemen’s UN envoy affirms govt commitment to securing children’s rights, ensuring a safe future for them.

Government’s Dedication to Secure Future for Children

Yemen’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, has reaffirmed the Yemeni government’s dedication to securing and guaranteeing the rights of children and enhancing their opportunities for a safe future. During his speech at the second session of 2024 for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Al-Saadi emphasized the government’s commitment against a backdrop of significant challenges, including the largest child recruitment operation in human history occurring in areas under Houthi militia control.

Houthi Militias’ Violations Against Children

Ambassador Al-Saadi shed light on the grim reality where Houthi militias recruit tens of thousands of children, indoctrinating them in summer camps before sending them to frontlines. This practice starkly violates international norms, international humanitarian law, and children’s rights. Furthermore, the militias have altered educational curriculums to align with their extremist ideologies, embedding concepts of violence, hatred, and terrorism in children’s minds, which poses a threat to Yemen’s security and stability, and endangers the children’s future.

UNICEF’s Role More Crucial Than Ever

In light of the ongoing war waged by the Houthi militias against the Yemeni people, Al-Saadi underscored the increased importance and urgency of UNICEF’s support. This partnership is vital in alleviating the suffering of Yemeni children, who bear the brunt of the conflict. He also highlighted the catastrophic effects of the war, which have led to economic and humanitarian decline, increased poverty rates, malnutrition among children, food insecurity, and deprived over 2.5 million children of education.

Call for International Support and Sustainable Funding

Al-Saadi called on the international community and United Nations agencies, especially UNICEF, to bolster humanitarian support for Yemen to confront current challenges. He stressed the need for sustainable funding to ensure the continuity of essential health and educational services for children at risk of being deprived of education and healthcare. The significant funding gap for Yemen’s 2024 humanitarian response plan threatens to exacerbate the situation, potentially depriving 600,000 children of basic vaccination services and healthcare, thereby increasing the risk of disease spread and malnutrition.

Solidarity with Palestinian Children

Additionally, Ambassador Al-Saadi addressed the tragic situation facing Palestinian children amid ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza and the West Bank. He called upon the United Nations and the international community to halt this aggression and take immediate steps to protect Palestinian children and ensure their rights to live in dignity and safety, akin to children worldwide.

This call to action highlights the urgent need for international collaboration and support to safeguard the future of children in Yemen and Palestine, ensuring they grow up in a world where their rights are protected, and they have the opportunity to lead secure, healthy lives.

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