NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S CHILDREN The deadly impact of explosive weapons in Yemen 2

Saudi Arabia Oman

SA’ADA HADRAMAUT Sa’ada

AL MAHARAH AL JAWF

AMRAN HAJJAH YEMEN Amran

AL MAHWIT MARIB Sana’a SANA’A Arabian Sea AL HODIDAH Hodeida SHABWAH R AYMAH DHAMAR

AL BAYDA

IBB AL DHALE’E

ABYAN Taizz

Al Mokha TAIZZ LAHJ Red Sea ADEN Aden Gulf of Aden INTRODUCTION

The daily, intensive use of explosive weapons deaths and injuries during the second quarter of 2015 in populated areas in Yemen is killing and were caused by air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition, maiming children and putting the futures and 18% of child deaths and 17% of child injuries were of children at ever-increasing risk. These attributed to Houthi forces.3 weapons are destroying the hospitals needed to treat children, preventing medical supplies, food, fuel and other essential supplies “I was playing in our garden when the missile hit my from reaching affected populations and house. My mum, brother and sister were inside. hampering the day-to-day operations of “I ran to my mother but the missile hit the building as humanitarian agencies. she was trying to get out with my brother and sister. I saw my mum burning in front of me. Then I fell down, Before March 2015, life for children in Yemen was and later I found myself in the hospital and my body not without challenges: nearly half of young children was injured. I didn’t find my mum beside me as always. 1 suffered from stunting or chronic malnutrition. Later, I found out she, my brother and sister had died. Many children were at risk of abuse, exploitation and violence from, for example, child marriage, “Before, we had a nice house and garden, and I used recruitment and use by armed forces or groups, and to invite my friends to come over and play. But now child labour.2 However, as a result of the escalation I hate to go there. It’s completely destroyed and very in the armed conflict, Yemeni children are now facing scary to go there. Now I don’t have a house or my new and unprecedented threats to their survival. family. Instead I live at my grandma’s house which I used to visit with my family every Friday. That day I lost On a daily basis girls and boys across Yemen are everything: my family, certificates from school, my toys. sustaining life-threatening and disabling injuries and psychological trauma as a consequence of intense “I don’t like the war and I hate the planes. I don’t know aerial bombing, shelling and rocket attacks. According why they attacked my house and killed my family.” to the UN, nearly three quarters (73%) of child Raja’a, seven years old

DEVASTATING CONFLICT

A military operation launched by a Saudi Arabia-led related deaths have been recorded in Yemen since coalition of states on 26 March 2015 to dislodge March,5 of which more than 630 are children. Houthi forces from territory seized in previous Many of these deaths have been caused by months has unleashed a new period of volatility in explosive weapons, giving Yemen the dubious Yemen’s already turbulent history.4 The extensive use status, alongside Syria, as the most dangerous of explosive weapons in populated areas by all sides place in the world for explosive violence as of has been a defining feature of this latest conflict. November 2015. For nearly nine months, civilians across the country According to the UN, approximately 4,500 civilians have been living through a sustained campaign of were reportedly killed or injured by explosive aerial bombardment and ground attacks. weapons in Yemen during the first seven months As fighting has intensified, the number of civilian of 2015, which is more than any other country or casualties has multiplied. More than 5,700 conflict- crisis in the world during the same period.6

3 4 NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S CHILDREN and respond to the immense needs of Yemeni civilians of needs immense the to respond and services up scale to aid community the of ability The essential supplies. other and kits trauma medicines, life-saving basic lack open remain that facilities health those that mean country the entering from supplies life-saving prevented that shipping commercial on blockade ade-facto and populations affected to access humanitarian on restrictions Insecurity, damaged. and are destroyed facilities health and hospitals as weakened children’s continuously being is lives save to needed interventions other and surgery emergency out carry to capacity Concurrently, the • • • • 2015, March included: workhas our in conflict the of 1963.since escalation the Since Yemen in working been has Children Save the YEMEN IN SAVE CHILDREN THE

have experienced first-hand the horrors of horrors the first-hand have experienced who children to support providing psychosocial drinking water have safe to access families their and children that ensure to programmes of arange running malnutrition of at risk most those for supplementation vitamin and programmes feeding providing targeted and food, distributing mobile medical teams with facilities health supporting and supplies, life-saving anddistributing medical equipment of life. of life. loss and injury of risk the minimise to procedures security staff and operations adapt to are trying and situation, security volatile extremely an in operating are workers by Aid insecurity. constrained also is vital civilian infrastructure. civilian infrastructure. vital other and facilities health hospitals, to destruction and damage further and life of loss unnecessary more avoid to critical is areas populated in effect wide-area with weapons explosive of use the to end immediate an conflict, the to resolution apolitical Pending humanitarian access. humanitarian on restrictions and insecurity work fromextreme daily our in challenges formidable face agencies Yemen’sof aid we other and are massive, people 211,800than However, children. needs the while 2015, March since more 379,000 people including than more have reached programmes Our • and adults. adults. and providing for children mine awareness training need they support follow-up and support specialist the receive they that ensure to children, vulnerable for –identified management case providingand – and referring conflict, this THE IMPACT OF EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS ON YEMEN’S CHILDREN

CIVILIANS UNDER ATTACK explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law, when used in populated areas, the wide-area There is mounting evidence that serious violations of effect of many explosive weapons means that the international humanitarian law have been committed impact on civilians and civilian infrastructure is in Yemen. The UN, the International Committee frequently devastating. This causes death, injury, of the Red Cross (ICRC) and human rights long-term disability and harm to mental well-being, organisations have accused parties to the conflict as well as displacement of civilian populations, and of deliberately targeting civilian objects, of failing to disruption to essential services such as health, water distinguish between civilian objects and legitimate and electricity supplies as a result of damage to or military objectives, and of launching disproportionate destruction of critical civilian infrastructure. For attacks.7 The UN Secretary-General and other children, the consequences of the use of explosive senior UN officials have condemned the disregard weapons in populated areas are therefore far- for human life and called for attacks on civilians and reaching and long-lasting. civilian infrastructure to stop.8 “Now, when I walk with my family in the city, I see the damage everywhere and I see how many people MOUNTING CHILD CASUALTIES are affected by the bombs. I feel so scared when I see AND THE RISK OF MANY MORE weapons and especially when I hear the sound of planes Child casualty figures associated with the conflict up in the sky. When you hear that sound it means a big that began in 2015 in Yemen are being systematically explosion will follow and that people will be killed. recorded by the UN. By mid-November 2015 the “This war is killing everything beautiful in my country. UN had verified the deaths of 637 children under Many have been killed and others are injured and the age of 18 years old and the injury of another 927 sometimes disabled for the rest of their lives. People’s since the start of the conflict. However, because houses have been damaged and lots are displaced of challenges in gathering data in a highly insecure now. Hospitals and schools are damaged too. For environment, actual numbers are thought to children there is no education any more. Life is very be higher.11 difficult in Yemen right now.” Wahida, 13 years old Killing and maiming of children has been identified in UN Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005) as Whether or not an attack is deemed or suspected among six grave violations against which all children to be indiscriminate, the use of explosive weapons should be protected in situations of armed conflict.12 with wide-area effects in populated areas is known The clear link between the use of explosive weapons to cause a predictable pattern of unacceptable harm in populated areas and killing and maiming of children to civilians. In Yemen, civilians account for 95% of all has been well established, as has the relationship of reported casualties from explosive weapons when explosive weapon use in populated areas to other 9 they are used in populated areas. grave violations against children, including attacks The ICRC has highlighted the “terrible toll on on schools and hospitals, and denial of access to civilians” exacted by such weapons.10 While not humanitarian assistance.13

5 6 NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S CHILDREN almost nowhere is safe from bombing and shelling. shelling. and bombing from safe is nowhere almost for Yemen’s situation for whom terrifying children, However,to convey the begin not do figures the causes. other and (IEDs) devices explosive improvised to attributable proportion asmaller with weapons, explosive launched ground air and to Yemen are attributable in NGOs and UN by the documented children of maiming and killing of incidents multiple the of Many through the blast and fragmentation that radiate radiate that fragmentation and blast the through infrastructure other and buildings damage and destroy and injure people, and kill weapons These (IEDs). devices explosive improvised well as as missiles, and bombs aircraft shells, artillery bombs, mortar grenades, including weapons explosive of types are many There area. surrounding the in damage and harm cause to detonate that Explosive weapons are conventional weapons WHAT WEAPONS? EXPLOSIVE ARE it was still hot.” was still it of it… apiece touched and had landed it where to After, Iwent buried. be could they that so somewhere to bodies take the helped uncles and “My father died. they until street the in there suffered they so hospital the to injured move was no to one the There road. of the side by the bodies dead and streets the in burning cars were There destroyed. were buildings many and of the our on street station afuel hit missile a Once weapons. of explosive effect the seen have “I outside on the street.” street.” the on outside be to I’m scared as too time the home all at I stay now But Iwas afraid. not death my brother’s “Before day. that injured were children five and Two killed also late. were too friends of his was it but die to not him Ibegged alive. be still may he Ihoped as him to Iwas calling was burnt. body his and arm his was missing He ground. the on lying was my brother that Isaw Then people. injured and bodies the around standing of people lots Isaw him. for look house to of the out Iran it Iheard as soon As explosion. was abig there when street the in outside friends his with was playing brother my little day “One Beyan, nine years old years nine Beyan, Zaid, 15 years old 15 years Zaid, risk of harm. of risk are at high civilians that means effect wide-area this villages, and towns cities, including areas, populated in used When over area. felt awide being weapons explosive of impact the in three) result the of (or acombination locality asingle in weapons these of anumber of use the or weapons, individual of delivery the in inaccuracy weapons, explosive and from amountblast of individual fragmentation the of scale The detonation. of point the from out • 2015 March since are: casualties child in have resulted that incidents many the Among displaced people. for camps and worship of places markets, facilities, health – schools, families and children you find where places other and homes on have fallen shells and rockets Bombs, areas. residential in place border. taking is Arabia Fighting Yemen–Saudi the Sa’ada on well as as along and areas, surrounding Sana’a, Taiz on including and City attacks, repeated 2015, daily, October and with September during intensified conflict the have characterised that rocket attacks and shelling airstrikes, The shifting. are constantly frontlines conflict; by the are affected governorates 22 country’s Twenty-one the of out the dead. among were children ten least At conflict. by the displaced those of many to home was Saad, Dar neighbourhood, targeted The Aden. Yemen’s of shelling of during injured city port 19 2015: 182 and July were killed civilians 48 house. Idon’thouse. aweapon.” have or my burn city to them to Ididn’t anything do this. do Idon’t they why know everything. burn to come They thesky. in flying planes Ihear the when Icry afraid. we’re But still school. this in gonow so to we live else Sana’a. to we come had to We don’t anywhere have me so our and house was damaged told “My father the truth. I’m You but telling can’t it, imagine everywhere. landing bombs were There me fire. was on around everything Isaw everywhere. bombing strong very We my bed. in woken by were up Iwas sleeping and night the was in It it. “Sa’ada Isaw was burning, 14 Reham, five years old years five Reham, THE IMPACT OF EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS ON YEMEN’S CHILDREN 7

21 22 By late October 2015, a total By late October 2015, 20

23 “We are afraid all the time. This hospital is very close to buildings that are being targeted… Almost all the windows have been destroyed the by bombs.” International humanitarian requires law that all parties to an armed conflictat all timesrespect medical units, such as civilian hospitals, and protect them from attack. All parties required are to take all feasible precautions in the choice of weapons,with the objective minimising, event and any at of avoiding, incidental harm to civilians locating avoiding and by military objectives in their vicinity. hospitals typically are However, situated in densely populated areas, such as in the centreof towns or cities. The use of explosive weapons with wide- area effects in such locations, when even directed a legitimateat military objective as opposed to the hospital itself, can damage or destroy nearby health facilities. hospital In Yemen, and health facilities have sustained damage from explosive weapons that have hit nearby buildings. In the governorates of Aden, example, for and Taiz, satellite Sana’a Sa’ada, imagery has shown damaged that 33 medical facilities were located within a 100 metre radius of airstrikes. of 69 healthof 69 facilities reported were been to have fully or partially damaged as a result of the conflict. In early Al September Sabeen Hospital, 2015, the main paediatric hospital sustained in Sana’a, damage after a nearby building was hit in an airstrike, resulting in the relocation of many sick children to other hospitals that lack facilities to provide specialised paediatric care. Several infants died after their ventilators cut out as a result of the strike. Only one week before, the a Save Children staff member had spoken to a doctor the at hospital, who said: Healthfacilities also been have directly hit. A health centre run the by international medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in Haydan district, was province airstrikes destroyed by Sa’ada on Thethe incident night October of 26 was 2015. condemned the by UN Secretary-General and UNICEF and concerns been Executive have Director, raised that the attack was in violation of the laws of war. ATTACKS ON HOSPITALS The UN has highlighted the “alarming rate” which at damage to hospitals and health facilities across the country increasing. is

let alone 16 19 In least out at of 18 18

15 The desperate reinforces situation in Taiz 17 Witnesses reported that the death toll was difficult confirm,to in part because the bodies of the victims badly were mangled. 28 September 2015: at least 130 civilians least at 28 were September 130 2015: killed, children, when including two 12 missiles hit a wedding party in the Sea Red village of Al-Wahijah, near theport of Al-Mokha. 19 August 2015: 13 employees ofthe Ministry 13 of August2015: 19 Education and four of their children killed were in an airstrikeon a teachers’ office in Amran,just north Another of Sana’a. 20 people, including one child,injured. were The educators gathered were together to prepare exams thousands for of children who had missed the end of theirschool year because of the conflict.Working after hours, they had brought their children with them, some of whom playing were outside when the bomb exploded. A continuation of airstrikes and ground clashes will inevitably result in the death and injury of many more children and inflict greater suffering on an already desperate civilian population. Of particular concern where the City, is the battle situation in Taiz for control has intense involved airstrikes, shelling and attacks.rocket Supplies of food and other essentials thefor civilian population here dwindling are due to insecurity and restrictions on humanitarian access to the city. the urgent need parties for to the armed conflict to end the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas. • As injuries hospitals multiply, in conflict-affected areas been have attacked or damaged nearby by attacks; they running are out of medical and other essential supplies, desperately or are understaffed as health been workers have killed, injured and toforced flee the violence. A HEALTH SECTOR CRIPPLED SECTOR A HEALTH CONFLICT BY • 22 governorates, hospitals been have closed or are affected,severely million leaving an estimated 14.1 people without access to basic healthcare, the emergency surgery and other services needed to treat shrapnel wounds and other serious injuries caused to children explosive by weapons. In Taiz, the health system has virtually collapsed due complex than those suffered by adults. However, the to the damage to health infrastructure, combined specialised care needed to treat injuries resulting with the lack of fuel, medicines and hospital supplies. from the use of explosive weapons is being depleted In Taiz City, less than a third of the 20 hospitals by the very same weapons. that served the city before the crisis are open.24 By mid-October 2015, just two vastly overstretched VITAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES RUNNING OUT hospitals were providing limited emergency services “The weapons are killing people. They destroy to the increasing numbers of wounded people. everything nice in my community and make us all Following the shelling on 8 November 2015 of scared, especially the children. Sometimes the injured Al-Thawra hospital in Taiz, which is reported to be go to hospital but when they get there, there is no providing treatment to some 50 people every day, medicine for them.” the ICRC condemned the repeated and deliberate Eimi, 11 years old attacks on hospitals and urged parties to the conflict Severe shortages of life-saving medicines, trauma to respect the neutrality of healthcare facilities kits and other essential supplies, such as anaesthetic and staff.25 NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S FOR SAFE CHILDREN NOWHERE or blood testing services, as well as of fuel to run As hospitals come under increasingly frequent generators are also contributing to the closure of attack, the demand for emergency surgery and hospitals and health services or a reduction in the other services to treat injuries caused by explosive services they are able to offer. According to the weapons is escalating. Because of the blast or World Heath Organization, by early November 2015 fragmentation effects around the point of detonation, more than 600 health facilities in Yemen had explosive weapons result in complex injuries that stopped functioning due to the lack of fuel, supplies require immediate access to medical care and and personnel.26 trauma surgery, and which also require long-term Prior to the conflict Yemen was reliant on imports post-operative care. Their impact on children is for 100% of its medical supplies and 70% of its fuel. particularly severe because their bodies are smaller, However, a de-facto blockade imposed by coalition more delicate and still developing. In the event forces to prevent arms from being smuggled into that they survive an attack, the injuries caused the country cut off supplies of commercial goods to their organs and tissues are often much more

“THERE ARE SO MANY CHALLENGES IN OPERATING THIS HOSPITAL”

Even before Al Sabeen Hospital in Sana’a was challenges in operating this hospital. We don’t have damaged in September 2015 and temporarily enough staff, enough supplies or enough fuel to run abandoned, shortages of medical and fuel supplies the generators… Now we’re running on the bare and lack of staff were creating significant challenges minimum of staff… to its operations. The hospital, which specialises “The lack of medical supplies is also a huge in the treatment of pregnant women and children, problem. New supplies are not getting into the had a pre-crisis catchment population of 300,000 country and the old stock is running out fast… patients. According to information gathered by Drugs, IV fluid, anaesthetic – none of it is available. Save the Children, by August 2015 this had risen Not even on the black market. We can’t do blood to as many as 3 million people, as other hospitals transfusions any more as we have run out of blood in the city and surrounding areas had closed or tests, meaning we can’t check blood types. reduced working hours. In the words of one of its senior staff: “I don’t know how much longer we can function like this. If this hospital closes, children and women “Every day it becomes harder to find the supplies will die.” to treat those who are sick, but every day the numbers coming in increase… There are so many

8 THE IMPACT OF EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS ON YEMEN’S CHILDREN 9 Rais Jana, mother of Hizam capacity-building and technical training for staff assistance with procurement of medical supplies support with running costs – particularly for medicines, other medical supplies and fuel. “Thechildren especially it found have hard. All them of have some kind pain of because this. of Sometimes up screamingthey wake in middle the of night and I have to tell them they are safe OK. and it’s They are always asking, ‘When will back? go we When will we be able to to go school?’ And it upsets because me have an answer them.” for I don’t “This situation is affecting the children so much. At the beginning they were always afraid. When they thehear jets some them of start to cry and shout. know if they’llI don’t get used ever to that sound.” SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE the Save Children is working closely with the Ministry of Health to support 77 fixed health and operatefacilities 25 in mobile Yemen health teams. Our support includes: • • • Shortages of vital suppliescontinuing a are challenge to implementation the of Save Children’s health support programmes. Insecurity has caused interruption to programming,likewise and two the Save Children-supported health facilities in Lahj Governorate been have damaged currently are bombing. workingby We with the Ministry of Health to support their rehabilitation. Save the Children that they constantly are afraid Parentsor angry. also are concerned about the psychological impact the violence is having on their children told the Save and Children have staff how their children suffer nightmares, from afraid are of loud noises, displayed signs or have of distress such as crying, shouting withdrawal and/or following incidents violence. explosive of Children suffered who have physical injuries, often bear deep psychological wounds as a result of their experiences, after even had medical they have treatment physically. recovered and have 27 due to the 28 29 Furthermore, disruption to electricity supplies across the country means that hospitals must rely on generators to run equipment, to including maintain cold storage of drugs and blood supplies, and critical equipment such as ventilators and cardiac monitors. of Yemen’s only in 1% September 2015 However, total fuel needs entered the country. Although this lack of fuel in October, is puttingincreased to 12% more hospitalseven and other essential services risk at of closure. across Yemen high level ofhigh civilian level casualties; and that demand will continue to rise if the conflictcontinues at the same or increased of intensity levels and civilian injuries escalate further. After eight months of fighting, hundreds of thousands children suffering are of Yemeni from high of levels distress. Given the scale of the violence, thousands of children been will have exposed to traumatic events. Many children who the Save Children is supporting witnessed have the destruction of their homes, been ones lost loved or have physically injured. Displaced told children have WIDER IMPACT ON CHILDREN’SWIDER IMPACT WELL-BEING PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND By October, shortagesBy October, of medical supplies within had become critical.Yemen For example, a lack of blood bags and reagents needed to determine blood type had caused one third of the country’s blood transfusion centres to close. This is situation a dire transfusions blood that the demand for considering has doubled in the past six months Althoughcommercial shipments increased to Yemen they remainin October below well pre-conflict 2015, levels. Insecurity, a lack of port capacity and the resulting costs of delays tounloading continueto commercialprevent shipments from entering Yemen. In the meantime, the continuous threat of bombing shelling,and increasingly frequentsecurity incidents workers, aid involving long delays checkpoints at and in some cases to refusal pass, convoys aid for present significant challenges in delivering medical and other essential supplies to affected populations. to the country many for months. The situation was compounded when Hodeida port, the main supply route to the north and centre of thecountry, was heavily damaged in airstrikes in August 2015. “The impact on Raja’a [aged seven] and all of us of treatment for injuries, but also severely limits was very upsetting, especially when she was in the the support available to respond to health needs hospital. Her case was very critical, both physically more broadly. and psychologically. She had many operations on her With the breakdown of safe water supplies and leg and hand. She has recovered physically but not sanitation services as a result of the conflict, yet psychologically. Before she was a very active girl, endemic diseases such as malaria, acute diarrhoea she liked to play with her friends. But now she is so and Dengue fever are reported to be spreading.30 silent. I see her many times sitting alone, holding her At the same time, obstacles to imports, restrictions mother’s picture and crying. She remembers all the on humanitarian access and high levels of insecurity details of the attack. I believe it will take long time for have contributed to increased levels of severe food her to recover.” Taqwa, Raja’a’s grandmother insecurity across the country. According to the UN, an estimated 14.4 million people in Yemen are food The intensity of the bombing and shelling and the insecure and 320,000 children are severely acutely resulting psychological distress means that children malnourished.31 Children are particularly susceptible and their families are often too scared to travel to NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S FOR SAFE CHILDREN NOWHERE to malnutrition, and diseases easily prey upon access the medical and psychosocial care they need. children’s weakened immune systems. In an assessment that Save the Children carried out amongst displaced children in August 2015, nearly half of the children surveyed said they did not feel safe LONGER-TERM DANGERS in the settlements they had been displaced to, while FROM EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS almost a quarter preferred to stay at home when they were sick because they were too scared to Even if the conflict were to end tomorrow, venture outside. children’s lives will still be at risk from landmines The combined effect of damage and destruction to and explosive remnants of war. Landmines and hospitals and health facilities, lack of medical supplies, unexploded ordnance (UXO) from past conflicts in and fear is denying children their right to access Yemen have killed and injured dozens of children 32 good-quality healthcare and essential medicines. over the years, but levels of contamination have This not only has a negative impact on the availability significantly increased in recent months, presenting additional immediate and long-term risks for children, their families and communities. PROTECTING CHILDREN All explosive weapons have a ‘failure rate’, which means they do not all explode at the time that they Save the Children has child protection are used and leave highly dangerous contamination. programmes in eight governorates in the north, Moreover, despite anti-personnel mines and cluster south and centre of Yemen. Our staff are qualified munitions being banned under international legal in psychological first aid and are trained to treaties, there are reports that both have been used recognise the specific needs of children. Through in the current conflict.33 a case management system, children in need can According to Save the Children’s national partner, be identified and assessed and plans to support Yemen Executive Mine Action Center (YEMAC), them designed and implemented, including, where four children died and 53 were injured by landmines required, prompt and appropriate referrals to a in a three-month period between late March and range of health professionals. early June 2015. YEMAC reports having cleared more Save the Children-run child-friendly spaces than 3,400 newly laid anti-personnel and anti-vehicle promote children’s resilience through mines in the governorates of Aden and Lahj from recreational activities, psychosocial support May to August 2015. Additionally, cluster bombs, activities and structured, open group sessions which scatter bomblets over a wide area and such as singing, dancing, puppet theatre and produce large quantities of unexploded ordnance, drawing. These spaces help children cope with are reported to have been used in Yemen. As well and recover from the experience of living as the longer-term threat cluster bombs pose, there through armed conflict. are reports of children having been killed in cluster bomb attacks.34

10 MSF has reported treating increasing numbers of CHILDREN YEMEN’S ON WEAPONS IMPACT EXPLOSIVE THE OF victims of landmines and unexploded ordnance; MINE AWARENESS many of those affected are children under the age Save the Children is carrying out Mine Risk of 12 years who have stepped on mines or picked Education (MRE) programming across Yemen explosive objects from the ground, unaware of the to ensure that children and adults understand danger these weapons pose.35 In areas affected by the threats posed by landmines and unexploded two cyclones that hit the southern coast of Yemen ordnance (UXO), and what measures they can in early November 2015, landslides and floods take to stay safe. The MRE programme has resulting in the movement of mines and UXOs could established ten information points across the significantly increase the risk of additional deaths three governorates of Aden, Lahj and Taiz, which and injuries. carry out MRE sessions with local communities “I was playing in the street and one of my friends and implement wider MRE awareness campaigns. found a strange thing on the ground. He took it and Ten Child Protection Committees have also was playing with it when it started shooting fire. A few been set up and trained to identify those seconds later it exploded. We were all injured. People affected by landmine and UXO incidents, and to came to take us to hospital and later I found out that ensure that they are referred for specialist care, three of my friends had been killed, including my best rehabilitation and, where needed, for prosthetics friend. I was in the hospital for a long time and had and wheelchairs. In coordination with YEMAC, to have many operations. Now I hate everyone who Save the Children is producing 10,000 MRE kits, uses weapons.” Mohammed, ten years old which include pictures of the types of mines and UXO being used, to raise awareness in The impact of banned weapons such as anti-personnel affected communities. landmines and cluster munitions on children, their families and communities is unacceptable and their use must be halted. Significant financial and technical assistance is urgently needed to support the clearance have continued to sell or supply arms to parties to of mines and explosive remnants of war from conflict- the armed conflict. According to Oxfam, countries affected areas. And assistance is vital to supply the that have or are reported to have supplied arms medical care, prosthetics where appropriate, and to parties now fighting in Yemen include France, ongoing rehabilitation for those affected by landmines Germany, Iran, Russia, the UK and the USA.36 and UXO and by explosive weapons more generally. The UN continues to lead efforts to seek a political solution to the conflict. After earlier peace talks THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE failed, the UN Special Envoy on Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheik Ahmed, announced in late October 2015 that UN senior officials have condemned the mounting preparations for talks would commence imminently. civilian casualties caused by the airstrikes and The announcement followed acceptance by all ground attacks in Yemen and have repeatedly called parties to the conflict of UN Security Council on parties to the conflict to comply with their Resolution 2216 (2015) as the framework for talks. obligations under international humanitarian law Resolution 2216, which requires the withdrawal of and to protect civilians. UN Member States have Houthi forces from areas that they had taken during been less vocal and Human Rights Council members the latest conflict and for them to relinquish arms failed to support a draft UN resolution calling for seized from military and security institutions, had 37 the establishment of an international mechanism to previously proved to be an obstacle to negotiations. investigate violations and abuses by parties to the Despite some encouraging signs that parties to conflict tabled at the 30th session of the Human the conflict may be willing to engage in talks, the Rights Council in October 2015. prospects for a negotiated peace remain uncertain. Moreover, despite the growing evidence that serious But without urgent action to halt the use of explosive violations of international humanitarian and human weapons in populated areas, the humanitarian rights law are being committed, states, including situation will continue to deteriorate and children’s permanent members of the UN Security Council, lives will remain at risk.

11 12 NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S CHILDREN political commitment to address it. a of development for the are growing calls there and issue, this about out spoken have already member) afounding is Children Save the which Weapons (of Explosive on Network International the of banner the under society civil and 40 states (ICRC),Red Red and Cross Crescent than more the of Committee International the agencies, UN other and OCHA Secretary-General, UN The use. their limit to standard aclearer articulating towards building been has momentum international casualties werecasualties civilians. resulting of over 90% areas, populated in were used 2011 2014 and weapons explosive when that found world between the around countries in weapons explosive of impact the on Violence Armed on by Action Research civilians. to harm unacceptable of pattern apredictable cause to documented been has areas populated in effects wide-area with weapons explosive of use the not, or indiscriminate be to suspected or deemed is attack an Whether IN POPULATEDWEAPONS AREAS EXPLOSIVE OF INTERNATIONAL USE THE TO PROCESS ADDRESS caused to civilians, including children, by the use of of use by the children, including civilians, to caused 38 It is for this reason that that reason for this is It 39 The harm harm The populated areas”. in weapons explosive heavy of use the “stop to states on acall was actions” “urgent six the of One point. turning at ahumanitarian world was the that warning joint statement, unprecedented an ICRC made the of President the and General 31 2015,On Secretary- October UN the efforts to prevent harm to civilians. to prevent to harm efforts for basis so provide –and astrong basis ongoing an on issue review to this provide opportunity and an standards stronger promote and weapons by these posed problem humanitarian this for recognising would provide amechanism acommitment Such areas. populated in weapons explosive of use the tackle would workto that commitment political of development for the support their indicated states participating where ameeting hosted OCHA and 2015, Austria of government September In the address issue. this humanitarian to need urgent the of reminder stark yet another Yemen in areas is populated in weapons explosive 41

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Urgent action is needed to prevent further • Support the establishment of an loss of children’s lives in Yemen. To this end, international, independent, impartial Save the Children urges all parties to the mechanism to investigate alleged violations conflict to: of international humanitarian law and human rights law by all parties to the • Agree an immediate ceasefire and engage, conflict. All attacks on civilians and civilian without preconditions, in seeking a political infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, solution to the conflict. should be publically condemned and parties to the • Respect international humanitarian law and conflict urged to comply with their obligations also stop the use of explosive weapons with under international humanitarian law, including wide-area effects in populated areas due to the prohibitions on indiscriminate and on the predictable pattern of harm, including death, disproportionate attacks. Additionally, the use of injury and damage to vital infrastructure, including banned weapons such as anti-personnel landmines schools and hospitals. and cluster munitions should be condemned and parties pressured to end their use. • Ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of vital supplies and humanitarian assistance • Urge all parties to immediately stop the into and within the country. All obstacles use of explosive weapons with wide-area to the import of medical supplies, food, fuel and effects in populated areas in Yemen. States other vital supplies to cover the basic needs of should also publically endorse the joint call by the the population must be lifted; distribution of life- UN Secretary-General and President of the ICRC saving assistance to conflict-affected populations to stop the use of heavy explosive weapons in in all parts of the country facilitated; and the populated areas; and participate in international security of aid workers guaranteed. efforts that are underway to develop a political commitment to address the use of explosive Save the Children also considers that significantly weapons in populated areas. more can – and must – be done by the international community to protect children’s lives in Yemen • Demand that all restrictions preventing and to bring an end to a conflict in which civilians the rapid and unimpeded delivery of are the main victims. Save the Children therefore humanitarian assistance to affected recommends that the following immediate actions populations are removed and that all are taken by the UN and UN Member States: obstacles to life-saving commercial and humanitarian supplies entering the country • Press all parties to the conflict to agree an are lifted. To this end, the governments of immediate ceasefire and provide high-level Yemen and Saudi Arabia should be pressured support to UN efforts to seek a political to ensure that there is no further delay in solution to the conflict. In the event that the establishment of the UN Verification and there is no progress or that Security Council Inspection Mechanism; and that imports of resolution 2216 remains an obstacle to peace, commercial fuel are accelerated, without which the UN Security Council must adopt a new onward distribution of supplies will continue to resolution to facilitate the political process and be hampered. Further, without such acceleration, address points below. basic services – including healthcare and water

13 14 NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S CHILDREN • • mental health programmes that can respond to to respond can that programmes health mental and education protection, provided for child be should support particular, increased In 48%. Response Plan Yemen the for Humanitarian contributions financial additional by announcing Yemen in response the scale-up to community humanitarian the Support international humanitarian law or humanitarian law.international rights human of violations serious commit to used may be they that remains risk the while party any to arms transfer or sell not should States resumed. be –cannot equipment other and pumps water for generators, fuel need which services, , which is currently funded at funded currently is , which • to protect themselves. equipped are better they so that communities, and families their for children, programmes awareness for mine- and remnants; byinjured explosive those of rehabilitation ongoing and appropriate, where prosthetics care, UXO;and for medical mines of clearance for the support includes This war of remnants unexploded from harm preventing for and conflict, the in injured civilians other and of children rehabilitation and treatment the for support Provide populated areas. in weapons explosive of use by the affected families and children of needs psychological the . ENDNOTES

1 According to UNICEF 47% of young children suffered stunting 9 Figure for period 1 January–31 July 2015. See Action for Armed or chronic malnutrition in 2013. See UNICEF, Child Alert, Yemen: Violence and OCHA, State of Crisis: Explosive Weapons in Yemen, Childhood Under Threat, August 2015, http://www.unicef.org/media/ 22 September 2015, https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/ files/CHILD_ALERT_YEMEN-UNICEF_AUG_2015_ENG_FINAL.pdf Yemen%20EWIPA%20report.pdf 2 For a detailed review of protection challenges to children in Yemen, 10 See Report of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross see Global Protection Cluster, Desk Review – Yemen, August 2015. and Red Crescent, 8–10 December 2015, http://rcrcconference.org/wp- content/uploads/sites/3/2015/10/32IC-Report-on-IHL-and-challenges-of- 3 Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for armed-conflicts.pdf children and armed conflict, “International push needed to encourage parties to Yemeni conflict to end violations against children, Leila 11 UNICEF, Humanitarian Situation Report, 21 October–3 November Zerrougui urges,” 20 September 2015, https://childrenandarmedconflict. 2015. un.org/press-release/international-push-needed-to-encourage-parties- 12 UN Security Council Resolution 1612 led to the creation of the to-yemeni-conflict-to-end-violations-against-children-leila-zerrougui- Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and urges the UN-led monitoring and reporting mechanism on six grave violations 4 The coalition consists of all the members of the Gulf Cooperation of children’s rights. Among the six grave violations are military Council, with the exception of Oman, as well as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco recruitment and use of children, attacks against schools or hospitals, and Sudan. Its campaign followed a request on 24 March 2015 by the abduction of children and denial of humanitarian access for children, all Yemeni president, President Hadi, to the Gulf Cooperation Council to of which have been documented during the current conflict in Yemen. intervene militarily. President Hadi had escaped to Aden in February See Report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed after Houthi forces had gained control of the capital city of Sana’a and Conflict, UN Doc. A/69/926-S/2015/409, 5 June 2015. subsequently fled to Saudi Arabia on 25 March after the presidential 13 See for example, Report of the Special Representative of the palace in Sana’a was attacked, allegedly by pro-Houthi members of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, 6 August 2012, Yemeni Air Forces. paragraph 60, http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67 5 OCHA, Yemen Humanitarian Bulletin, 13 November. /256&Lang=E&Area=UNDOC; and Save the Children, Position Paper: Explosive Weapons and Grave Violations against Children, 2013, 6 Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/ Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien – Statement on Yemen, 8 October Explosive_Weapons_and_Grave_Violations_Against_Children.pdf 2015. http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/under-secretary-general- humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator-stephen-3 14 Human Rights Watch, “Yemen: Houthi artillery kills dozens in Aden”, 29 July 2015, https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/07/29/yemen-houthi- 7 Article 51(5)(b) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva artillery-kills-dozens-aden Conventions prohibits an attack which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian 15 UNICEF, Statement by Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, on objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation attack on teachers’ office in Yemen, 19 August 2015, http://www.unicef. to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. For examples org/media/media_82946.html of alleged IHL violations in Yemen, see Statement by UN Special 16 Statement attributable to the spokesperson for the UN Secretary- Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to General on Yemen, 28 September 2015, http://www.un.org/sg/ Protect, “Fulfilling our Responsibility to Protect in Yemen”, 14 August statements/index.asp?nid=9053 2015; Statement to the press by Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, 18 November 2015; ICRC, “Yemen hospitals ‘deliberately’ attacked”, 17 See “Statement of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, On 10 November 2015; Amnesty International, “Bombs fall from the sky the Dire Situation in Taizz City,” 24 October 2015, http://reliefweb.int/ day and night”: Civilians under fire in Northern Yemen, October 2015; and report/yemen/statement-humanitarian-coordinator-yemen-johannes- Human Rights Watch, Yemen: Coalition strikes on residence apparent van-der-klaauw-dire-situation-taizz war crime, 27 July 2015 and Yemen: Houthis shell civilians in southern city, 18 Eight health workers have been killed and 20 injured. See WHO, 20 October 2015. Yemen crisis: Reported violation against health sector due to conflict, 8 See for example, “Statement attributable to the Spokesman October 2015. for the Secretary-General on Yemen,” 28 September 2015, 19 UNICEF, Humanitarian Situation Report, 21 October–3 November http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=9053; Office of the 2015. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, “International push needed to encourage parties to Yemeni 20 OCHA, Humanitarian Bulletin, Yemen. Issue 4, 15 October 2015. conflict to end violations against children, Leila Zerrougui urges,” 21 WHO, Yemen Crisis, Reported violation against health sector due to 20 September 2015; Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian conflict, October 2015, 31 October 2015, http://reliefweb.int/report/ Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien Statement yemen/yemen-crisis-reported-violation-against-health-sector-due- to the Security Council on Yemen, 19 August 2015, http://reliefweb. conflict-october-2015 int/report/yemen/under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs- and-emergency-relief-coordinator-stephen-2; “Top UN relief official 22 OCHA, Humanitarian Bulletin: Yemen, 14 September 2015. in Yemen warns of conflict’s ‘catastrophic’ consequences; urges 23 See Statement by UN Secretary-General, 27 October 2015, humanitarian access,” 27 July 2015, http://www.un.org/apps/news/story. http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=9187; Statement by asp?NewsID=51504#.VkBmAVInzct UNICEF Executive Director; 27 October 2015, http://www.un.org/sg/ statements/index.asp?nid=9187; MSF, “Yemen: MSF hospital destroyed

15 NOWHERE SAFE FOR YEMEN’S CHILDREN ordnance all-stories/yemen-children-tormented-landmines-and-unexploded- 2013, http://www.unocha.org/top-stories/ July ordnance,” unexploded Conflict. fighting-taiz http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-icrc-deeply-concerned-impact- October, 22 in Taiz,” fighting of impact the by concerned deeply ICRC Governorate%20-%2020150831%20-%20EN.pdf for%20Yemen%20statement%20on%20situation%20in%20Taizz%20 int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Humanitarian%20Coordinator%20 2015, http://reliefweb. 31 August assistance,” of delivery for windows humanitarian and Taizz to access predictable and passage safe for calls shipping-and-food-imports-11-october-2015-enar 2015),11 October http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-snapshot- Fax: +44 (0)20 7012 (0)20 +44 6963Fax: Tel: 7012 (0)20 +44 6400 EC1MLondon 4AR John’s1 St Lane Children Save the We rights. achieve their potential. them their fight for help We 120 We than more in works Save countries. Children save the children’s lives. 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-coalition-airstrikes-hit-hospital 2015, October 28 hospital”, hit airstrikes Coalition “Yemen: yemen-msf-hospital-destroyed-airstrikes 2015, http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/ 27 October airstrikes,” by savethechildren.org.uk blocked-entering-besieged-area-taiz 2015, http://www.msf.org/article/yemen-medical-aid- October Taiz,” 25 health-care-facilities-must-stop 2015, https://www.icrc.org/en/document/yemen-attacks- 10 November May 2015. (Photo: Getty Images) 2015.May Getty (Photo: Yemen, of in capital the Sana’a, on strike air by an destroyed houses of rubble the amid stands Aboy Cover photo: identities. their protect to changed havebeen briefing this in parents their and children of names All Haycock. Frances and Mason Claire from contributions with Kaye, Mark and Withers Lucia by written was briefing This Ashwal. Ali and Awadh Mohammed Al-Ajel, by Fatima gathered Data Acknowledgements OCHA, Humanitarian Needs Overview 2016, November 2015. 2016, November Overview Needs Humanitarian OCHA, See MSF, “Yemen: Medical aid blocked from entering besieged area in in area besieged entering from blocked aid Medical “Yemen: MSF, See See OCHA, “Yemen: Children tormented by landmines and and landmines by tormented Children “Yemen: OCHA, See See “Humanitarian coordinator See “Humanitarian for Yemen, Johannes Van Der Klaauw, OCHA, Yemen: Snapshot on Shipping and Food Imports (as of of (as Imports Food and Shipping on Snapshot Yemen: OCHA, OCHA, Humanitarian Bulletin, Yemen, 13 November 2015. 13 Yemen, November Bulletin, Humanitarian OCHA, ICRC, “Yemen: Attacks on health care facilities must stop”, stop”, must facilities care health on Attacks “Yemen: ICRC, OCHA, Humanitarian Bulletin: Yemen, 14 September 2015. 14 Yemen, September Bulletin: Humanitarian OCHA, WHO, Situation Report No 15, 14–27 September 2015, Yemen September 15, 14–27 No Report Situation WHO, ; and Human Rights Watch, Watch, Rights Human ; and ; and ICRC, “Yemen: “Yemen: ICRC, ; and

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