UNICEF Warns of Severe Malnutrition Crisis Among Yemen’s Children

UNICEF Warns of Severe Malnutrition Crisis Among Yemen’s Children
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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said nearly half of children under five in Yemen are affected by acute malnutrition, alongside around 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls. It described current malnutrition levels as among the highest recorded in the country.

UNICEF identified stunting as a major long-term concern, with an estimated national prevalence of 49%. The condition can result from prolonged nutritional deficiencies and impair children’s physical and cognitive development.

The agency warned that malnutrition during the first two years of life can cause irreversible harm and contribute to cycles of illness, poverty and inequality.

UNICEF highlighted disparities in children’s health linked to household living conditions, citing two girls in Abyan Governorate: one experiencing healthy growth after receiving adequate early nutrition, while another suffers from stunted growth after her family was largely dependent on bread and tea.

The organization called for urgent expansion of maternal and child nutrition programmes and a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response, warning that delays in providing nutritional and health support could result in lasting damage to millions of Yemeni children.