[23/09/2026 04:56]

NEW YORK-SABA

Presidential Leadership Council Member Dr. Abdullah al-Alimi met in New York with UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations Ted Chaiban to discuss strengthening child protection, essential services and the humanitarian response in Yemen.

Al-Alimi praised UNICEF’s work in child protection, health, nutrition, education and water, calling for stronger cooperation with the government, greater focus on affected areas and displacement camps, and support for national institutions to ensure sustainable services.

He highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the Houthi militia’s military escalation, including casualties, displacement and growing pressure on host communities and essential services, stressing that children, women and displaced people are among the groups most affected.

Al-Alimi called for intensified efforts to prevent child recruitment, protect education from exploitation, and strengthen child-protection monitoring and documentation. He also stressed the need for safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access and called for the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN and humanitarian workers.

Chaiban reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to continuing its work in Yemen, stressing the need to move from short-term humanitarian response toward more sustainable efforts linking humanitarian and development work, particularly in health, nutrition, education and child protection.

He expressed deep concern over the continued detention by the Houthi militia of more than 73 UN personnel, including 10 UNICEF staff members, and stressed the importance of continued international support for children in Yemen.

---