The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for urgent action to enhance the protection of children in Yemen from the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war, following an incident in Al Dhale'e governorate that resulted in the deaths of five children and injuries to seven others. The organization expressed its "deep sadness" over reports of the five children killed and seven injured while collecting scrap metal in the village of Al-Ribi, Al Dhale'e governorate, after a piece of war debris exploded. UNICEF highlighted that this incident underscores the persistent threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance to civilian lives, particularly children. UNICEF reiterated that children in Yemen continue to pay a heavy price for the conflict, emphasizing that "no child should lose their life, be injured, or live in fear due to the deadly remnants of war." The organization noted the widespread presence of explosive devices in many areas. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing threat from mines and explosive war remnants, years after the conflict began. UNICEF pointed out that frequent displacement and the presence of explosives in proximity to homes, schools, play areas, and workplaces increase children's exposure to fatal accidents and severe injuries. The agency urged intensified efforts for the clearance of mines and unexploded ordnance, along with the expansion of risk awareness programs within local communities. It also called for the provision of medical and psychological care and sustained support for survivors and the families of victims. UNICEF affirmed that protecting children from war remnants is a pressing humanitarian priority, and that every child has the right to live and grow in a safe environment free from danger. The Ministry of Human Rights in the Yemeni government attributed responsibility for the incident to the Houthi militia, stating it adds to a series of accidents caused by mines and war remnants that have claimed the lives of thousands of civilians across various regions of the country. |
