Over 3,000 Yemeni children may die of cancer due to Saudi blockade

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
5 Feb 13:49
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Children and patients are losing their lives to cancer due to the siege on the country, which is blocking life-saving medicine from entering Yemen.

A child in Yemen receiving treatment in March 2019 (AFP)

On World Cancer Day, the Entisaf Organization for Women’s and Children’s Rights stated that more than 3,000 children in Yemen who are now cancer patients are now at risk of facing death due to the Saudi war and the blockade on the country.

Entisaf also criticized the international community and organizations for not batting an eye about Yemeni cancer patients, adding that cases of leukemia are increasing, with cases in Sanaa jumping from 300 to 700 as a result of the Saudi-led coalition's use of internationally prohibited weapons provided by the US and the UK.

Children and patients are losing their lives to cancer due to the siege on the country, which is blocking medicine from entering Yemen to treat them. Entisaf has also urged the opening of Sanaa International Airport for humanitarian purposes, since the blockade won't allow treatment options.

In its statement, the organization held both Saudi Arabia and its allies accountable for all crimes against Yemen and its children, as it called on the world to be responsible and own up to the humanitarian responsibility for these crimes.

No agreement near to an end

The Saudi-led coalition has shown no mercy for children, as approximately 16% of all prematurely born babies in Yemen are doomed to die due to the Saudi-led coalition unjust war and blockade.

Sanaa government Health Minister Taha Moutawakel said in December that the coalition's raids have killed and wounded more than 16,000 women and children.

Recently on January 19, informed Yemeni sources revealed to Al Mayadeen, that there is no final agreement for extending and expanding the truce, stressing, however, that negotiations are still ongoing, "There is progress in the talks and messages exchanged through the Omani mediator, and if an agreement is reached, its results will be officially announced."

The sources also pointed out that "many proposals were put on the table, but they are yet to be discussed and attended to. We should wait to ensure their completion and agreement over them."

It was also pointed out that "the proposals put forward for discussion are all related to humanitarian considerations and the renewal of the truce," adding that "channels of communication and negotiations with Saudi Arabia still stand and have been ongoing for some time now."