[18/March/2010]
SANA’A, March 18 (Saba) - A workshop on the protection and interventions required for children was concluded on Thursday in Sana’a as a ceasefire deal was in force in the far north of Yemen.

The few-day workshop was organized by the local Non-Government Seyaj Organization for Childhood Protection in coordination with UNICEF.

The workshop was attended by 30 participants of government institutions and civil organizations. It came out recommendations, including interventions necessary to help children victims of the six-year war in Saada province and Harf Sufyan district of Amran province.

It is scheduled to provide the recommendations related to the provision of appropriate early intervention services for the victims of the war to government and international bodies, humanitarian agencies and in charges of the IDP camps.

The conflict between government forces and al-Houthis has caused psychological problems for children and had an adverse effect on their behavior.

The workshop aimed to measure the psychological and behavioural impacts of the war on children living in more volatile areas, as well as studying its overall affect on the life of children, their families, their surroundings and their education.

Last month, the government and the al-Houthi group reached a ceasefire deal ending the war in the far north that included that the rebels: withdraw from their positions, release all civilian and military captives, returning all public and army equipment that taken during confrontations and withdrawing from Saudi lands and not attack them again.

According to UNHCR, there is an urgent need to address the dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance, as people begin to return to their areas of origin in Saada, making reference to the Interior Ministry reports that showed that since the ceasefire was announced at least five people have been killed and 20 injured as a result of contact with such explosive devices. Most of these were children.

YA

Saba