UN Warns against Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in Yemen
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Three months of war has left Yemen in a continuing deteriorating humanitarian and security situation, the United Nations warned, urging all parties engaged in fighting to immediately stop resorting to violence.
“Civilians are paying the price in this conflict. We condemn any acts of violence harming civilians. It is the moral responsibility of all parties involved to prevent further human suffering,” said Paolo Lembo, UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen.
Recent violence has taken a heavy toll on Yemenis. Even before the war, millions of Yemenis were living with food insecurity and struggling to access education, basic services and clean water. Now, 12.9 million people in Yemen are in need of food assistance. More people are now killed by illnesses and lack of access to basic services, than by direct armed conflict, UN press release reads.
“Over the last three months, we have worked closely with partners and ensured that around 1.9 million Yemenis in need have received emergency assistance, from Sa’ada in the north to Aden in the south,” says Lembo.
Despite resent challenges in access, increasing fuel prices, and limited donor funding, UN is now targeting 7.6 million people for priority assistance, an increase of 46 per cent since March this year. 15.2 million people are in need of basic health care, an 80 percent increase since March. It is estimated that two thirds of those will be reached if access is enabled.
“We call for the unimpeded entry of commercial supplies and humanitarian assistance to Yemen and around in the country, especially of food and fuel, so that people can regain a sense of dignity in a continuously fluid situation,” Lembo added.
The UN is increasing its presence in Yemen to better respond to the needs of the Yemeni people. “I am here with a large and growing team. While ensuring the security for our staff, we continue to do our very best to respond to the growing needs, despite the many obstacles we are facing,” Lembo stressed.
Lembo also stressed that while humanitarian and urgent needs are being addressed, a lasting solution can only be found through political efforts. Moreover, building resilience at all levels is critical to enable Yemenis to improve their lives.
On March 26, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies began to launch air strikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in an attempt to restore power to the fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh.
According to Yemen's Freedom House Foundation, the Saudi airstrikes have claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 Yemeni people so far while more than 7,000 others have been wounded, most of them civilians.
