The conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact on civilians. That was the message the UN hoped to highlight as aid chief Stephen O’Brien
ADVERTISEMENTThe conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact on civilians. That was the message the UN hoped to highlight as aid chief Stephen O’Brien visited Amran, just 40 kilometres north of Sana’a.
With a reported 80 percent of the population in need of life-saving assistance, the organisation is calling for the international community to scale up its response to the growing humanitarian crisis.
Sieges of the main cities have prevented food supplies from reaching the civilian population. Fuel shortages have led to scarce water supplies as the pumps require power to work properly.
“We can see from the devastation to the Governor’s offices and the municipal buildings behind just what effects the conflict is having upon the infrastructure as well as the people here in this particular community,” explained O’Brien.
His were echoed by the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, visiting Aden he said that the humanitarian situation was ‘nothing short of catastrophic’ and called on all parties to negotiate a peace deal.
Fighting between Iran-allied Houthi forces and pro-government militias has raged since March when the Houthis advanced towards the port of Aden.
Iran denies that is supplying the Shiite Houthis with military aid.
A Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes since March in a bid to help pro-government forces restore President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi, in exile in Riyadh, to power.