Hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk as fighting intensifies in west Yemen, UN warns

SANAA (Debriefer)
2018-09-13 | Since 4 Year

اضغط هنا لقراءة الخبر بالعربية

The situation in Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah has dramatically deteriorated in last days after the fighting between pro-government forces and the Houthis intensified, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen said on Thursday.

"Hundreds of thousands of lives hang in the balance in Hodeidah," said Lise Grande.

"More than 25 percent of children are malnourished, 900,000 desperate for food and 90,000 pregnant women are at enormous risk. Families need everything- food, cash, health care, water, sanitation, emergency supplies, specialized support and many need shelter. It’s heart-breaking to see so many people who need so much".

The pro-government forces with support from a Saudi-led Arab coalition resumed an offensive to retake Hodeidah from the Houthis three days ago after UN-sponsored consultations collapsed.

The consultations were planned to start in Geneva on September 6th but the Houthi representatives failed to fly for them.

The offensive was launched in June amid warnings by the UN and other international organisations its impact could be disastrous.

The government and the coalition are accusing the Houthis of using Hodeidah seaport for smuggling Iranian weapons including ballistic missiles. 

The pro-government forces with support from coalition warplanes and apache helicopters have made progress against the Houthis on the eastern outskirts, taking control of the road linking Hodeidah with the capital Sanaa, locals said.

They have moved closer to the city centre, they said, pointing out that battles are now taking place within less than 10 kilometers of the city centre.

Hodeidah, Yemen's poorest and second most densely populated city, is a lifeline for millions of people in northern regions. Around 70% of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports come through it.  

"The mills in Hodeidah feed millions of people. We’re particularly worried about the Red Sea mill, which currently has 45,000 metric tons of food inside, enough to feed 3.5 million people for a month. If the mills are damaged or disrupted, the human cost will be incalculable," Grande said.

"So much has already been destroyed. In the last six weeks alone, houses, farms, livestock, businesses, roads, a water facility and a flour mill have all been hit".

 


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