YEMEN: At Least 19 Children Killed and 49 Injured in 40 Days of Violence

ADEN, September 14, 2026 – Over one in five of the people killed and injured in recent violence in Yemen are children, said Save the Children, with more than 80% of the child casualties caused by airstrikes, shelling or drones [1].

At least 19 children were killed and a further 49 injured between August 1 and September 9, forming part of some 117 civilians killed and 206 injured in the escalating violence in Yemen. At least 175 of the casualties took place in a single week (September 3-9), including 43 children, the highest weekly child casualty toll in the past 12 months. [2].

At least 28 children have been referred to Save the Children for lifesaving medical care due to conflict-related injuries. At least 85,000 people have fled their homes since July, with numbers increasing daily as fighting intensifies.

Displaced families are arriving in extremely difficult conditions, having fled suddenly and without the opportunity to carry essential belongings. Receiving sites and host communities — many already operating beyond capacity — are under mounting pressure, and a significant number of children and families lack adequate shelter and are staying in open or informal sites, said Save the Children.

Very soon, the convergence of conflict, displacement, a surge in infectious and water-borne diseases—including measles, acute watery diarrhea and cholera—along with heavy rains and flash floods, will result in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Save the Children’s Country Director in Yemen Rishana Haniffa said:

"Children are once again paying the highest price for some of the most severe violence the country has seen in years. Children are being killed and maimed by bombs and bullets as they flee their homes in search of safety. They are experiencing severe injuries and psychological harm. Every day we receive calls about injured children needing assistance. Families who have already endured years of conflict, hunger and displacement once again fear for their children's future. Our teams are hearing from parents who are terrified of what comes next, without access to food, clean water, healthcare or a safe place to sleep.

Children in Yemen have lived through more than a decade of overlapping crises, leaving millions vulnerable long before this latest escalation. They should not have to bear the burden of yet another wave of violence. Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on, especially schools and hospitals, must be protected from attack.

“Every child must be able to safely access the assistance and essential services they need to survive, recover and thrive. At the same time, donors must urgently provide flexible funding to help humanitarian organizations meet rapidly growing needs and sustain life-saving services. Above all, the children of Yemen must be protected at all costs."

Save the Children is responding to the needs of newly displaced children and families while maintaining existing lifesaving services. The response includes emergency cash assistance, temporary shelter and hygiene materials, and the provision of safe drinking water to displaced families.

Save the Children is also providing child protection support, medical referrals and transportation for injured children, as well as identification and follow-up of separated and unaccompanied children, including family tracing and reunification where required.

This escalation comes against the backdrop of an already extremely fragile humanitarian crisis and funding shortfall. An estimated 22.3 million people, including 12.2 million children, require humanitarian assistance and protection this year. However, the 2026 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan remains only 20% funded, significantly limiting the ability of humanitarian organizations to respond to a new surge of displaced families.

NOTES: 
[1] Casualty figures from 1 August to 10 September for Yemen, according to data collected by the Civilian Impact Monitoring Project, a service of the Protection Cluster. During this period there were 68 child casualties - 19 children killed and 49 injured, as part of 323 civilian casualties (117 civilians killed and 206 injured). 56 out of 68 (82%) of children killed or injured during this period were due to airstrikes, shelling and drone strikes. Other types of armed violence included sniper attacks, small arms fire, landmines and UXOs. 

[2] Data from the 3-9 September 2026 from the Civilian Impact Monitoring Project. That week saw the highest number of children casualties in a single week since 25 September – 1 October 2025, based on analysis of weekly figures.