UNICEF calls for urgent action to promote breastfeeding in Yemen

Yemen, 2, August 2024 – UNICEF called for urgent action today to improve breastfeeding practices in Yemen, where the protracted conflict, economic collapse and massive displacement have taken a toll on vulnerable children.

During this year’s World Breast Feeding Week, which kickstarted today under the theme “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,” UNICEF highlighted the need to eliminate breastfeeding barriers by supporting mothers through collaboration at health facilities and community levels, as well as at the workplace.

Breastfeeding is essential for child survival and healthy development. It provides nutrients and antibodies that protect children against common childhood illnesses and malnutrition while reducing healthcare costs. Yet only 20 per cent of children are exclusively breastfed in the first six months of life, putting them at increased risk of illness, death, reduced learning potential and health complications in adulthood.

“Breastfeeding offers a safe, readily available source of nutrients that strengthens a babies’ immune systems and helps them survive and thrive,” said UNICEF Representative to Yemen, Peter Hawkins. “We urge the government and partners to prioritize breastfeeding support to protect children’s health and well-being by boosting financial support for infant and young child feeding with emphasis on breast feeding support and reinforcing policies and programs.,” he added.

The current exclusive breastfeeding rate in Yemen falls significantly short of the World Health Assembly’s target of 50% by 2025 and the global target of 70% by 2030. Infants should be breastfed within 1 hour of birth, but in Yemen, the rate of early initiation of breast feeding within the first 1 hours stands only at 40 per cent.

In Yemen, persistent and prolonged socio-economic deprivation has led to one of the world’s highest rates of stunting, or chronic malnutrition, that stand at 48 per cent. For decades, breastfeeding rates have remained low due to numerous challenges women face in making informed choices to feed their infants  and there are also problems related to accessing quality healthcare.

UNICEF urges the government and stakeholders to enhance their efforts in supporting breastfeeding. Key actions include improving monitoring of breastfeeding programs, enforcing laws on marketing breast-milk substitutes, and offering skilled breastfeeding counseling to all mothers.

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