(UNICEF) – With conflict escalating in many parts of Yemen, children continue to be killed, injured, displaced and put at increasing risk from disease, UNICEF said today. At least 74 children are known to have been killed and 44 children maimed so far since the fighting began on 26 March. These are conservative figures and UNICEF believes that the total number of children killed is much higher, as the conflict has intensified over the past week. “Children are paying an intolerable price for this conflict.” said UNICEF Yemen Representative Julien Harneis speaking from the Jordanian capital Amman. “They are being killed, maimed and forced to flee their homes, their health threatened and their education interrupted. These children should be immediately afforded special respect and protection by all parties to the conflict, in line with international humanitarian law.”