**Yemen Conflict Displaces 71,000 Children, Escalates Malnutrition Crisis: UNICEF**
*Geneva, Switzerland – September 25, 2026* – The ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to the displacement of approximately 71,000 children over the past three weeks, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation, according to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The agency's Yemen representative, Akhil Iyer, shared these alarming statistics during a press conference held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The recent surge in violence has not only uprooted families but has also severely disrupted access to essential healthcare and treatment centers, contributing to a significant rise in acute malnutrition among children. Iyer noted that the conflict is driving hunger, which in turn makes children more vulnerable to the effects of ongoing violence.
In total, nearly 130,000 people have been displaced in Yemen during this period, with the majority of those affected coming from or within the southwestern governorate of Taiz. Iyer emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, stating, “Conflict drives hunger, and hunger makes children more vulnerable to conflict.”
UNICEF's mobile teams have recently screened nearly 2,900 children in accessible areas, revealing that more than a quarter are acutely malnourished. Among this group, 200 children fall into the severe malnutrition category, which represents the most critical level of malnutrition. Iyer expressed concern that these figures only reflect a small portion of the overall situation, as many regions remain inaccessible due to ongoing hostilities.
The humanitarian crisis is projected to worsen, with UNICEF estimating that 2.2 million children under five years old will be acutely malnourished by the end of the year. Of these, over half a million are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a condition that poses life-threatening risks.
In addition to the malnutrition crisis, UNICEF has confirmed that at least 15 children have been killed and 14 injured since early September, with three others reported missing. Iyer highlighted the emotional toll on families, stating, “Beyond being uprooted from their homes, too many children have already paid the heaviest price in this conflict. Behind every one of those children is a parent living through the unimaginable – grief, fear, or the agony of not knowing.”
The conflict in Yemen, which pits the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, has intensified significantly this year after a relative lull following a truce in 2022. Recent weeks have seen the Houthis make substantial territorial gains, including the capture of the strategic port city of Mocha and control over much of the Red Sea coast, which has further complicated the humanitarian situation.
The Houthis' advances have also affected critical maritime routes, particularly the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a vital passage for oil shipments from Saudi Arabia. As the conflict escalates, thousands of people have fled their homes, with some seeking refuge across the Red Sea in Africa.
The ongoing violence has disrupted education as well, with 243 schools closing or suspending classes in the past three weeks, impacting nearly 140,000 students. Iyer urged all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the safety of children and civilians, calling for adherence to international humanitarian law and the facilitation of safe humanitarian access.
As the situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, UNICEF and other humanitarian organizations face immense challenges in delivering aid to those in need. The agency's representatives stress the importance of immediate action to address the needs of displaced families and to mitigate the impacts of malnutrition on vulnerable children.
The international community is being called upon to respond to this escalating crisis, as the plight of Yemen's children remains a pressing concern amidst the ongoing conflict.