The top United Nations relief official today called for restraint by
all sides in Yemen, warning that the ongoing violence is worsening an
already dire humanitarian situation.
It is estimated that the recent political turmoil in Yemen, part of a
wave of protests across the Middle East and North Africa calling for
social, economic and democratic reforms, has led to more than 82
deaths and hundreds of injuries.
"I am especially concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen
because, even before the recent protests, the country was facing a
humanitarian crisis due to protracted conflict in the north displacing
300,000 people, some of them multiple times," said Valerie Amos, the
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief
Coordinator.
"The recent fighting has again affected hundreds of people that have
not recovered from earlier conflict," she added, urging those involved
to refrain from violence and ensure the safety of civilians.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA), the country is also facing acute water and food
shortages. Some 31.5 per cent of the population is food-insecure, and
approximately 12 per cent – or 2.7 million people – are severely food
insecure.
Ms. Amos noted that some humanitarian agencies are having difficulty
reaching those in need due to insecurity. The UN is discussing access
with both the Government and the Al-Houthi rebels. "I hope we will
have a meaningful agreement on access soon," she stated.
"The prolonged and chronic suffering in the country means that
humanitarian aid continues to be urgently needed."
Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN human rights office have
voiced their concern about the situation in Yemen, where a state of
emergency has been declared. Mr. Ban has called for a broad dialogue
with the political opposition, youth groups and other elements of
civil society leading to "bold" reforms in country.
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