Five children killed by explosive weapon in Yemen while engaged in child labor in deadliest incident this year

ADEN, 23 June 2026 – At least five children have been killed and seven more children injured by an unexploded ordnance (UXO) that detonated next to them in southern Yemen in the deadliest incident for children so far this year, Save the Children said.

The children, aged between 7 and 13, came across the UXO while collecting scrap metal to sell, and, thinking it was a toy, started playing with it.

Save the Children, which is supporting some of the injured children with medical treatment, said they sustained multiple shrapnel injuries to their chests, abdomens and limbs.

Child labor is rife in Yemen due to the worsening economic situation and global funding cuts, exposing children to risk while tending livestock and gathering firewood, as well as working in construction and scrap metal collection. According to UNICEF, 12.5% of children aged 5–14 are engaged in child labor, a figure that rises sharply to 15.4% in rural areas.

A survey by Save the Children in south Yemen last year found that 90% of 615 households relied on the income children received for their work to eat, with displaced children worst affected.

Rishana Haniffa, Country Director for Save the Children in Yemen, said:

"It is an outrage that after a decade of conflict, children in Yemen are still paying the price with their lives due to a double threat from explosive remnants of war and child labor.  Injuries from explosives can leave children permanently disabled, sometimes leading to the amputation of limbs or the loss of sight or hearing.

"All parties to the conflict must de-escalate the crisis, stop the use of explosive weapons and uphold international humanitarian law to prevent further harm to civilians.

"At the same time, Yemen requires sustained and increased humanitarian funding for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXOs), victim assistance and risk education initiatives that have been scaled back due to aid cuts. Families also need more support for sustainable livelihoods so that children are not forced into work, putting them at risk. These life-saving efforts are critical to protect vulnerable communities, especially children, from the deadly impact of explosive weapons."

Save the Children has been working in Yemen since 1963, implementing programmes in education, child protection, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and emergency response across most of the country.
Child protection remains at the heart of our programmes, including specialized care and assistance for children injured by explosive weapons and mine risk education.

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