Yemen: At least 19 children killed and 49 injured in 40 days of violence

Yemen: At least 19 children killed and 49 injured in 40 days of violence

Country: Yemen Source: Save the Children Over one in five of the people killed and injured in recent violence in Yemen are children, said Save the Children, with more than 80% of the child casualties caused by airstrikes, shelling or drones. Over one in five of the people killed and injured in recent violence in Yemen are children, said Save the Children, with more than 80% of the child casualties caused by airstrikes, shelling or drones. At least 19 children were killed and a further 49 injured between 1 August and 9 September, forming part of some 117 civilians killed and 206 injured in the escalating violence in Yemen. At least 175 of the casualties took place in a single week (3-9 September), including 43 children, the highest weekly child casualty toll in the past 12 months. [2]. At least 28 children have been referred to Save the Children for lifesaving medical care due to conflict-related injuries. At least 85,000 people have fled their homes since July, with numbers increasing daily as fighting intensifies. Displaced families are arriving in extremely difficult conditions, having fled suddenly and without the opportunity to carry essential belongings. Receiving sites and host communities — many already operating beyond capacity — are under mounting pressure, and a significant number of children and families lack adequate shelter and are staying in open or informal sites, said Save the Children. Very soon, the convergence of conflict, displacement, a surge in infectious and water-borne diseases—including measles, acute watery diarrhea and cholera—along with heavy rains and flash floods, will result in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Save the Children’s Country Director in Yemen Rishana Haniffa said: "Children are once again paying the highest price for some of the most severe violence the country has seen in years. Children are being killed and maimed by bombs and bullets as they flee their homes in search of safety. They are experiencing severe injuries and psychological harm. Every day we receive calls about injured children needing assistance. Families who have already endured years of conflict, hunger and displacement once again fear for their children's future. Our teams are hearing from parents who are terrified of what comes next, without access to food, clean water, healthcare or a safe place to sleep. Children in Yemen have lived through more than a decade of overlapping crises, leaving millions vulnerable long before this latest escalation. They should not have to bear the burden of yet another wave of violence. Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on, especially schools and hospitals, must be protected from attack. “Every child must be able to safely access the assistance and essential services they need to survive, recover and thrive. At the same time, donors must urgently provide flexible funding to help humanitarian organisations meet rapidly growing needs and sustain life-saving services. Above all, the children of Yemen must be protected at all costs." Save the Children is responding to the needs of newly displaced children and families while maintaining existing lifesaving services. The response includes emergency cash assistance, temporary shelter and hygiene materials, and the provision of safe drinking water to displaced families. Save the Children is also providing child protection support, medical referrals and transportation for injured children, as well as identification and follow-up of separated and unaccompanied children, including family tracing and reunification where required. This escalation comes against the backdrop of an already extremely fragile humanitarian crisis and funding shortfall. An estimated 22.3 million people, including 12.2 million children, require humanitarian assistance and protection this year. However, the 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan remains only 20% funded, significantly limiting the ability of humanitarian organisations to respond to a new surge of displaced families. Waleed*,17, the eldest of five siblings, was displaced with his family from Hodeidah to a camp in Lahj in 2017 after years of conflict, constant shelling, and fear. Forced to leave behind his home and school, he struggled to continue his education in temporary learning tents that lacked even the most basic facilities. Discouraged by poor learning conditions and driven by his family's financial hardship, Waleed dropped out of school to help his elderly father, who works as a porter, earn enough to support the family. After Save the Children supported the school by improving classrooms, providing learning materials, training teachers, and creating a safer, more engaging learning environment, Waleed returned to school and is now completing Grade 9 as one of its most committed students. Zaid Shaker / Save the Children Nearly two-thirds of children surveyed across four districts in southern Yemen are out of school following more than a decade of conflict and displacement, Save the Children said as the new school year begins. Eman*, 80, holds 9-month-old grandson, Nader*, as he is screened for malnutrition with a MUAC band, by a nurse at the Save the Children supported Health Unit. Eman*, 80, is struggling to feed and care for her six grandchildren, with no reliable income and dwindling resources. Her son – the children's father – cannot find steady work, and his wife is gravely ill and unable to care for her own children. Before the war, the family kept cattle, made cheese to sell, and had modest savings. With prices rising and no credit available, they now survive on bread, tea, and occasional porridge and rice, often going to bed without dinner. Several of Eman's* grandchildren, including Mona* and Nader*, recently began showing dangerous signs of malnutrition, but thanks to a Save the Children-supported health centre, they were able to get help. Staff provided nutritional supplements and gave Eman* the knowledge and tools to support their recovery. Both children have shown real signs of improvement, with Nader* making encouraging progress after having been visibly emaciated. Ahmed Albasha / Save the Children Children in Yemen are being plunged deeper into hunger as world leaders fail to fully re-open the Strait of Hormuz, said Save the Children, releasing a new market assessment showing how fuel and food prices have skyrocketed since the escalation in the Middle East region four months ago. The number of child casualties in Yemen jumped 70% in 2025, with an average of one child killed or injured every day

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