Sana’a: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has confirmed that malnutrition remains one of the most pressing and persistent public health challenges in Yemen, announcing the launch of a program aimed at reducing the alarming rates of malnutrition with German funding.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, UNICEF announced the launch of the “Urgent Actions for the Prevention of Malnutrition” program, which aims to reduce the alarming rates of malnutrition among women, girls, and boys in Yemen. The program is being implemented in collaboration with national and international partners, with funding from the German government.

The program aims to address malnutrition through an integrated, multi-sectoral approach focused on prevention, targeting 32 priority districts in 12 Yemeni governorates. UNICEF Representative in Yemen, Peter Hawkins, stated that the program represents an important step in joint efforts not only to treat malnutrition but to prevent it, emphasizing the collaborative work with the Yemeni government, civil society, and international donors to build resilient systems and empower communities for a healthier future for children and mothers in Yemen.

The persistent issue of malnutrition in Yemen is exacerbated by years of conflict, economic collapse, and limited access to basic services, as noted in the statement. UNICEF estimates that nearly 50% of Yemen’s 2.4 million children under the age of five are stunted, and 1.5 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished in Yemen, putting them at greater risk of disease, delayed growth, and death.

UNICEF has called on all partners and stakeholders to support investment in preventing malnutrition in Yemen, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to address this critical health challenge.