Schools and hospitals have been targeted in attacks that may have broken international law. Over 4,000 children have been killed or injured, including 1-year-old Zuhoor* who had her fingers amputated after being crushed by debris and badly burnt in an airstrike.
Both sides in this conflict have a lot to answer for. But our Government knows one of its allies has blood on its hands – and yet it's still selling bombs to the Saudi Arabia-led Coalition.
Tell the Government to protect children and suspend the sale of British weapons to Saudi Arabia.
Please sign the petition now and urge the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, to champion the protection of Yemen's children above all else. We will be in touch via email and phone to keep you updated about this petition and our work protecting children in war.
* Name changed to protect identity
Photo: Mohammed Awadh/Save the Children
Dear Foreign Secretary,
Today 20.7 million people, including 10.3 million children, are in need of urgent humanitarian aid in Yemen. Schools, hospitals and other vital civilian infrastructure have been destroyed in attacks. The UN estimates that more than 4,000 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 have access to assistance and are protected. As the fighting continues without signs of ending, I am calling on you to please:
- Ensure children and their families have access to life-saving aid by pressing all parties to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access and lifting any restrictions on imports of commercial supplies, including by re-opening Sanaa airport and rehabilitating Hodeidah Port.
- Ensure children and their families are protected by immediately suspending arms sales to any party in the conflict until there is an independent international investigation and asking our allies to stop the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas.
- Hold perpetrators of violations of international law to account, by supporting independent, international investigations of alleged violations by all sides and by urging all parties to respect international law.
- Maintain the Government’s welcome financial support to the humanitarian relief effort, and play a greater role in encouraging other donors to increase funding.
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