Yemen: After more than nine years of devastating war in Yemen, malnutrition remains a major concern in many parts of the country, with nearly 10 million children still in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

With rising rates of malnutrition in Yemen, over 2.7 million children suffer from acute malnutrition, while 49% of children under five suffer from stunting or chronic malnutrition, according to UNICEF statistics.

Urgent action to avert disaster

Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, said: "The prolonged war, collapsed economy, and ineffective social support system have had a devastating impact on the lives of the most vulnerable girls and boys in Yemen." She added: "A large number of children are still deprived of basic necessities, including proper nutrition, which could threaten future generations unless urgent measures are taken to provide children with the preventive measures and treatment they urgently need."

The coalition's targeting of health centers, hospitals, and refugee shelters has destroyed the country's health system, leading to the disruption of essential services in health facilities across the country.

The economic crisis, exacerbated by salary cuts, as the US-Saudi aggression targeted the economy, and declining purchasing power, along with difficulties in accessing safe drinking water, has led to increased rates of malnutrition, making it increasingly difficult to access life-saving health and nutrition services.

Future impacts

Malnutrition causes physical and mental stunting, especially during the first two years of a child's life, with these damages being permanent and progressing as they age, leading to long-term poverty and inequality of opportunity.

Unhealthy dietary habits and malnutrition are major risk factors for heart and vascular diseases. Inadequate nutrition weakens cognitive development and weakens the immune system. According to UN reports, weakened immune systems increase the risk of death among these children under five by up to 11 times compared to well-nourished children.

This situation prevents children from reaching their full potential in physical and cognitive growth, with irreparable damage in the long term.

Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States and regional allies, launched the war on Yemen in March 2015, claiming the goal of bringing the government of former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi back to power.

The war has left hundreds of thousands of Yemenis dead and displaced millions more. It has also destroyed Yemen’s infrastructure and spread famine and infectious diseases there.