Sammi Aryani 

YemenOnline- July 09, 2008- UNICEF has announced that it will donate $2.5 Million to help alleviate hunger among mothers and children. The deputy representative of UNICEF, Ann Mary, made the announcement during a workshop in Sana'a. The workshop aimed at developing strategies to cope with the rise in food prices in Yemen and was attended by 30 local and international NGOs.

Yemen is currently experiencing one of the most dire food crises in its history. The rise in food prices has plunged a large percentage of Yemenis into poverty. The percentage of the population that cannot afford food has risen to nearly 30%, making large cities such as Ibb and Hudeida resemble slums.

As with all famines, children are the ones in deepest danger. 50% of Yemenis have stunted growth due to poor diet and that number is expected to rise even further. Now that food is scarce and expensive, many families will send their children to work and keep them out of school. This will cause a large generation of Yemenis to be malnourished and uneducated.

UNICEF recognizes that before education, vaccinations, and any other attempts at improving the lives of children they must feed them first. Food is the foundation, and the UNICEF's donation will target poverties most dangerous symptom, hunger.