VOA常速英语2018--也门儿童亟待粮食援助

A malnourished child in Yemen dies every 10 minutes, according to UNICEF Middle-East director who says the deaths are preventable.

每10分钟，就有一名营养不良的也门儿童死亡，这是联合国儿童基金会中东局局长提供的信息。而且他还说这种悲剧是可以避免发生的。

The huge levels of malnutrition¹ are one of the important underlying² causes of that high mortality rate, but also the very low levels of vaccinations³.

严重的营养不良是导致死亡率居高不下的重要根本原因之一，此外，接种疫苗比例极低也是一个原因。

UNICEF says children are dying from starvation and disease while trucks with life-saving supplies are blocked in port.

联合国儿童基金会表示，很多儿童死于饥饿和疾病，而另一边还有很多载有救生物资的卡成被卡在港口。

1.8 million children under the age of 5 are suffering from acute malnutrition.

180万5岁以下的儿童患有急性营养不良。

400,000 of these children are suffering the life-threatening form of severe acute malnutrition.

这些儿童中有40万人患有严重急性营养不良，会危机性命。

These are 400,000 children. If not being treated can die every single second.

这可是40万儿童啊，如果他们得不到救治，就随时可能死亡。

UNICEF reports families in the region say the fruits and vegetables so critical for children are no longer affordable⁴. Another issue, lack of access to clean drinking water, which causes diarrhea ultimately leading to malnutrition.

联合国儿童基金会的报告指出，该地区的很多家庭都表示，蔬菜水果对孩子来说至关重要，但根本吃不起。还有一个问题是缺少清洁饮用水，这会导致疟疾，最终导致营养不良。

We hope very much that all parties will think about these millions of children suffering here in Yemen and will put the interest of these children at the center of that discussions.

我们非常希望各方能考虑一下也门遭受苦难的无数儿童，并将这些儿童的福祉作为讨论的核心。

And if they do so, that is a bright future for Yemeni people awaiting.

如果各方能这样做，那么也门人民就将迎来光明的未来。

The war in Yemen is three and a half years old.

也门的战争已经持续了三年半。

It is fought by Saudi forces backing Yemen’s government against Houthi rebels supported by Iran.

交战双方分别是有沙特军队做后盾的也门政府以及由伊朗支持的胡塞叛军。

Last month, the United States called for November peace talks in Sweden.

上个月，美国曾呼吁于11月在瑞典进行和谈。

Previous peace talks in Geneva fell through when the Houthis failed to show.

此前，日内瓦的和谈落空，因为胡塞叛军未曾露面。

1 malnutrition   

n.营养不良

参考例句：

• In Africa, there are a lot of children suffering from severe malnutrition.在非洲有大批严重营养不良的孩子。
• It is a classic case of malnutrition. 这是营养不良的典型病例。

2 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

3 vaccinations   

n.种痘，接种( vaccination的名词复数 )；牛痘疤

参考例句：

• Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时，我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。