The Prime Minister must stand up for children in Yemen

As Theresa May visits Saudi Arabia today, just over the border in Yemen Britain’s allies are bombing children and blocking essential shipments of food and aid.

Save the Children is calling on the Prime Minister to use her visit to urgently press the Saudi-led coalition to allow humanitarian access into the stricken country.

Vital supplies blocked

Kevin Watkins, CEO of Save the Children, said: “As Theresa May meets her counterparts in Saudi Arabia today, less than half a day’s drive away children are dying from hunger and disease in Yemen.

“The Saudi-led coalition is stopping vital supplies getting in by sea, while warring parties are detaining aid workers and obstructing deliveries by land.

“Millions of children and their families have no idea where their next meal is coming from, or where the next bomb will fall.”

Children’s lives at stake

He continued, “Britain has led the way in supporting aid efforts for Yemen – but at the same time it is fuelling the conflict by selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.

“The Prime Minister must stand up for British values and for the children whose lives are at stake when she visits Riyadh today.

“The UK needs to ensure aid and vital commercial supplies for Yemen get where they need to go, and that all parties are held accountable for violations of international law.”

Close to famine

With conditions close to famine sweeping the country, 2.2 million children are now acutely malnourished. Delays to life-saving aid and food are costing lives.

In the first two months of this year, three Save the Children aid shipments were prevented from landing at the country’s main port of Hodeida, delaying their arrival for up to three months.

The shipments contained vital medical supplies, including antibiotics, surgical equipment, medicine to treat diseases like malaria and cholera, and supplies to support malnourished children.

They carried enough aid to help 300,000 people.

Crucial port under threat

Yemen imports almost all of its food and other essential supplies, 70% of which come through the Hodeida.

The port is already operating at limited capacity after multiple air strikes. Ships carrying aid have to wait up to 100 days for clearance to berth from Saudi warships.

Now, reports suggest that Hodeida is likely to come under sustained attack in the near future. This would be catastrophic, almost certainly leading to a famine in large areas of the country.

You can take action

Our teams are on the ground in Yemen, delivering vital medical care and helping children who have been physically and mentally scarred by attacks on homes, hospitals and schools.

But we need your help to push the government to protect children whose lives are at risk.

We’re calling on the government to stop the sale of British weapons to Saudi Arabia, push for a ceasefire and ensure vital supplies can reach Yemeni families.

It must also support investigations into attacks on children.

Stand up for Yemen’s children: sign our petition now

*Name changed to protect identity.