UNICEF: Children in Yemen hospital now threatened by fighting

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Yemen's civil war is now threatening a children's hospital in the port city of Hudaydah, the United Nations' child advocacy agency said Wednesday.

The U.N. International Children's Emergency Fund, UNICEF, said the fighting has placed 59 children in danger. Nearly half are in the hospital's intensive care unit.

"Intense fighting ... is now dangerously close to Al Thawra hospital, putting the lives of 59 children ... at imminent risk of death," UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said in a statement. "Medical staff and patients in the hospital have confirmed hearing heavy bombing and gunfire. Access to and from the hospital, the only functioning one in the area, is now imperiled."

Fore said 40 percent of Yemen's 400,000 malnourished children are in Hudaydah or surrounding areas. She said some of the sickest are being treated at the hospital.

"Children, in particular, cannot afford for Al Thawra to be caught up in the fighting," Fore said, adding that fighting has intensified in the city, where up to 80 percent of humanitarian aid is delivered.

"The toll in lives could be catastrophic if the port is damaged, destroyed or blocked," she said.

Fore said UNICEF will continue to deliver supplies to the danger zone.

"UNICEF calls on all parties to cease hostilities near and around the hospital, and to ensure that civilians can safely access the hospital."

Fighting for the port city has escalated in recent weeks, and the United Nations predicted the crisis could turn into a historic famine. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition supported by the United States has continued bombing Houthi rebel targets in the country.

Warplanes have also targeted the capital Sana'a and northern provinces. The coalition is fighting in Hudaydah to win back control from the Houthis.