Shelling, landmines, and gunfire in Yemen have resulted in the deaths or injuries of nearly 1,200 children since a United Nations-led ceasefire was brokered on April 2, 2022, largely reducing hostilities. According to an analysis by the UK-based humanitarian organization Save the Children, at least 339 children have been killed and 843 injured during this period, with some suffering life-altering wounds.

The organization found that 511 child casualties – nearly one in two – were due to landmines and explosive remnants of war. Data collected by the Civilian Impact Monitoring Project (CIMP), a UN Protection Cluster mechanism, indicated that children are more than three times more likely than adults to be killed or injured by such explosives.

While overall civilian casualties have decreased since the truce, which largely halted fighting between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and Iran-aligned Houthis, the percentage of children killed or injured by landmines or unexploded ordnance has been significantly higher than in the four years prior. Save the Children attributed this to a lack of mine risk awareness and increased exposure due to child labour.

Rishana Haniffa, the organization’s country director in Yemen, stated: "These figures are a reminder that beyond the front lines, the war on children continues in their homes, schools, and areas where they play and help their families tend to land. Amid escalating wider regional tensions, there is a real risk of triggering a wider confrontation in Yemen and the Red Sea that could undermine hard-won progress to reduce armed violence in the country over the past four years, exposing children to even more harm."

Blast injuries have at times led to permanent disabilities in children, including spinal injuries, limb amputations, and loss of sight and hearing. This has caused significant psychological distress, difficulty sleeping, daily fear, and anxiety. A 50-year-old father named Ahmad shared that his son Kamal underwent life-changing surgery; Save the Children altered their names and withheld personal details to protect privacy.

Ahmad recounted witnessing an explosion within their home’s perimeter: "I felt shocked and extremely afraid as the explosion happened inside our home. At that moment, everyone in the house was terrified. After the incident, Kamal began suffering from intense fear. He still wakes up frightened during sleep since the accident." He added that his son "sleeps most of the time" and "When I see him in this condition, I worry about him. Since the incident, everyone in the house has been afraid."

Source: www.aljazeera.com