Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced the launch of the “Accelerated Actions for the Prevention of Malnutrition” program in Yemen, in cooperation with national and international partners.
This initiative is funded by the German Federal Government through the German Development Bank (KFW) and aims to reduce malnutrition rates among women, girls, and boys through an integrated approach focused on prevention.
Yemen faces significant health challenges due to undernutrition, which has been exacerbated by years of conflict and economic collapse. Estimates indicate that approximately 2.4 million children under the age of five and 1.5 million pregnant and lactating women suffer from acute malnutrition, increasing the risks of disease and developmental delays.
About 50% of children under the age of five in Yemen suffer from stunting, which negatively affects their cognitive development and educational performance. To address this crisis, a comprehensive program targeting 32 districts in 12 governorates has been designed, with a focus on improving preventive nutrition services.
In this context, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Yemen, stated that this initiative is an important step in the collective efforts to treat and prevent malnutrition. He also added that cooperation with the government, civil society, and donors will enable the building of effective systems to ensure a healthy future for children and mothers.
The program includes strengthening community platforms to provide nutrition services, promoting optimal nutrition practices, increasing coordination between different sectors, and improving access to nutritional supplements.
The program will be launched through a technical workshop in Aden, bringing together representatives from government agencies, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations.
UNICEF calls on all partners to support efforts to prevent malnutrition in Yemen, considering that collective action can save lives and pave the way for a better future for children.
