RIYADH -- Ms. Virginia Gamba, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, affirmed that she is pleased on signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Joint Forces of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen. The MoU aims to strengthen the protection of children affected by the armed conflict in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency quoted her as saying.

She affirmed that this MoU is first of its kind around the world.

She pointed out that the MoU focuses on the commitment of the United Nations and the Coalition to promote and strengthen a protection of children in military operation procedures, which include strong actions to support and promote the protection of children in coordination with the Child Protection Unit of the Joint Forces Command.

She lauded the role of the Joint Forces of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its interest in humanitarian work, including caring, protecting and rehabilitating of children.

Ms. Gamba stressed that this agreement comes within the framework of joint coordination to work on deeper measures to protect children from the armed conflict, saying that "Now, we seek to exert great efforts over the next two months. We will jointly establish limited activities over a long term, including a joint training and spreading knowledge about child protection."

Ms. Gamba also welcomed the Global Reintegration Initiative, including Saudi Arabia, which will play a leading and positive role due to its cooperation. She pointed out that the global participation to reintegrate children in their community is one of the initiatives launched through universities and humanitarian centers, such as Riyadh-based King Salman Center for Humanitarian Aid and Relief (KSrelief).

She added that the annual report issued by her office to the UN Security Council contains important figures over the past years, where no action to protect children has been taken, stressing that due to their grave violations, including murder and child-recruitment, the Houthis were put on list A of the report .

On statistics about child-recruitment and exploitation by the Houthis, Ms. Gamba said that the relevant figures for 2018 will be published following the issuance of the report at the end of July.

Ms. Virginia Gamba praised the efforts of the Coalition Forces on integration, describing them as great efforts subject to review in future.

“It has been proved that the current plans and some of the UN existing standards on the delivery of children and their release need some adjustment and documentation. We have worked with the Coalition Forces to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen to overcome that problem,” she said. – SPA