An international aid group says an estimated 130 children or more die every day in war-torn Yemen from extreme hunger and disease.

According to Save the Children a continuing blockade by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Shi’ite rebels, is likely to further increase the death rate. It says over 50 000 children are believed to have died in 2017.
Reports say Saudi Arabia blocked Yemen’s ports after a rebel missile attack near Riyadh. It said the coalition would lift the blockade after widespread international criticism.

On Thursday, the leaders of the World Health Organisation, the UN children’s agency and the World Food Programme issued a joint appeal for the easing of the blockade.