The UK must help children suffering in war-torn Yemen
For nearly two years, a civil war has engulfed Yemen. Innocent people have had their lives torn apart and a devastating famine could be on the horizon.
Today more than 18 million people – that's almost 70 percent of the population – in Yemen are in dire need of humanitarian aid. Over 2 million children are malnourished and the UN estimates that almost 3,000 children have been killed or injured since March 2015.
Schools and hospitals, which should be places of safety, are on the frontline and regularly attacked. The UN reports that many attacks may have broken international laws designed to protect children in war.
The UK is a long-standing ally of Saudi Arabia – a key player in Yemen's war. By using this strategic relationship while also supporting the humanitarian response and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict our country can play an influential role in saving children and their families in Yemen.
Please sign the petition now and urge the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, to champion the protection of Yemen's children above all else.
Dear Foreign Secretary,
Today more than 18 million people, including over 10 million children, are in need of urgent humanitarian aid. Schools, hospitals and other vital civilian infrastructure continue to be damaged and destroyed in attacks. The UN estimates that almost 3,000 children have been killed or injured since March 2015.
The UK's involvement in supporting the humanitarian response, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and its strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia means it can play an influential role in ensuring children and their families have access to assistance and are protected from the armed conflict in Yemen. As the conflict approaches its second year, I am calling on you to please:
- Ensure children and their families have access to humanitarian aid and other basic supplies by pressing all parties to guarantee rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need and lifting any restrictions on imports of commercial supplies.
- Ensure children and their families are protected from the armed violence by urging parties to respect international law, immediately stop the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas, and to refrain from selling arms to any party in the conflict if there is a risk they may violate international law.
- Hold perpetrators of violations of international law to account, by supporting independent, international investigations of alleged violations by all sides.
- Press all parties to the conflict to agree an immediate ceasefire and continue supporting efforts to seek a political solution to the conflict.
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