At least 12 children across Yemen have died and almost 20 have been seriously injured this year as a result of the accidental detonation of Explosive Remnants of War (ERWs).

In the latest incident earlier this month, a teenage boy from the war-torn governorate of Sa’ada suffered serious injuries when tampering with a landmine he found near his home in Saqayn district. He lost four fingers when the device exploded in his hands.

“It is an extremely tragic fact that so many children have fallen victim to landmines and other unexploded ordnance in Yemen this year,” says UNICEF Yemen Represenative, Geert Cappelaere.

“Despite the ceasefire agreement that was reached in the beginning of 2010, children continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. We have a clear obligation to protect their lives and welfare.”

Mines and other unexploded ordnances (UXOs) pose a serious threat to people living in the conflict-affected governorates of Yemen, particularly Sa’ada where 13 out of 15 districts are considered to be significantly contaminated from six years of conflict.

Children are particularly at risk of accidents involving mines and UXOs, as many mistake them for toys. Children tending to their herds in remote areas are also among the victims of this year’s landmine accidents.

UNICEF and partners have developed a support plan that includes mine clearance, victim assistance and mine risk education. However, these capacities are severely constrained by a lack of access to the affected areas.

“As children continue to be killed or maimed in landmine accidents, lack of access for humanitarian actors to the conflict-areas prevents these children and their families from receiving the support they need and deserve. We therefore call upon all parties to the conflict in Sa’ada to provide the necessary humanitarian space so the mine action support plan can be implemented immediately,” says Geert Cappelaere.

Media sources indicate that around 35,000 individuals have been injured or killed by landmines or UXOs in Yemen over the past 15 years.