As many as 85,000 infants under the age of 5 may have died from starvation or disease since 2015 in Yemen, Save the Children said Wednesday (November 21st).
The humanitarian organisation said the estimate was based on data compiled by the UN, which has warned that up to 14 million people are at risk of famine in Yemen, AFP reported.
"For every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death and it is entirely preventable," said Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children's country director in Yemen.
"Children who die in this way suffer immensely as their vital organ functions slow down and eventually stop," he said. "Their immune systems are so weak they are more prone to infections with some too frail to even cry. Parents are having to witness their children wasting away, unable to do anything about it."
"Save the Children is calling for an immediate end to the fighting so no more lives are lost," Kirolos said.
The plea comes as UN envoy Martin Griffiths prepares to hold talks with the Houthis in Sanaa during a visit aimed at laying the groundwork for peace talks in Sweden.
