Yemen 'living hell' for children: UN

Conflict-ravaged Yemen has become a "living hell" for children with thousands dying every year from malnutrition and easily preventable diseases, a top UN official said yesterday.

Geert Cappelaere, regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at UN children's agency Unicef, called on the warring parties to join proposed peace talks later this month and agree to a ceasefire.

"Yemen is today a living hell -- not for 50 to 60 percent of the children -- it is a living hell for every boy and girl in Yemen," he told a news conference in the Jordanian capital.

According to Unicef, 1.8 million Yemeni children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition.

"We call on all parties to get together later this month under the leadership of the UN special envoy... and agree on a ceasefire and a road to peace for Yemen," Cappelaere added.

The appeal came as dozens of Yemeni rebels have been killed in battles and air strikes in Hodeida, medics said yesterday, as pro-government forces advanced in the insurgent-held Red Sea port city.

Fifty-three Huthi rebels were killed and dozens were injured over the past 24 hours, medical sources in Hodeida told AFP.