144,000 under-five children with severe acute malnutrition across Yemen will benefit from this contribution.

Sana’a, 31 October 2023 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) has granted UNICEF a new in-kind contribution of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) valued at US$10.1 million to provide equitable and high-quality life-saving services for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

This contribution will enable UNICEF to keep its supply chain intact and ensure the timely delivery of nutrition supplies across Yemen. At least 144,000 children under five with severe acute malnutrition will have access to ready-to-use therapeutic food to regain their healthy weight.

“Yemen has long battled with one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world – a major public health concern in the country. We count on reliable support from donors such as the USAID/BHA to continue to respond to the nutrition crisis and save the lives of vulnerable children,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen.

Some 2.3 million children are acutely malnourished – two out of five children under the age of five – and there are about 540,000 cases of children under-five who suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

USAID/BHA have contributed $10.1 ml of RUTF supplies which will provide for 144,000 cases of treatment to severe and acute malnutrition.

Media contacts

Megumi Iizuka

Chief of Communications & Advocacy

UNICEF Yemen

Email: [email protected]