UNITED NATIONS The U.N. humanitarian chief warned Tuesday that a “humanitarian catastrophe” is unfolding in Yemen, exacerbated by increasing restrictions on efforts to respond to the staggering needs of millions of people including the diversion of a U.N. aid ship by Saudi-led coalition forces.
“The parties to the conflict have a duty of care in the conduct of military operations to protect all civilian persons and objects – including humanitarian and health care workers and facilities – against attack,” Stephen O’Brien told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
He said at least 7.6 million people are seriously food insecure in Yemen, noting that the war in the country has made over 1,170 schools and 600 health facilities unfit, as a result of which some 3.4 million children do not go to school.
The UN official asked all parties in Yemen to facilitate humanitarian access to all parts of the country, saying aid deliveries are very challenging across the countrys north due to Saudi airstrikes.
“UN agencies and NGO partners are delivering assistance under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous circumstances,” said O’Brien, adding that last Sunday a Saudi airstrike hit a building 200 meters away from the Diplomatic Transit Facility, which accommodates UN and diplomatic personnel.
OBrian also referred to Saudi Arabias recent warning to the UN and other aid agencies to withdraw staff from northern Yemen, saying this has impacted the planning of the humanitarian community.
Philippe Bolopion, a Human Rights Watch official, also said on Tuesday that “coalition members should be under no illusion that this warning absolves them of their obligation to distinguish between civilian and military objects, and to protect humanitarian personnel and facilities from attack” and said the Saudi warning could be considered a threat to aid workers.
He was referring to the Saudi-led coalition involved in the bloody war against Yemen.
On Monday, the World Food Program (WFP) also warned of famine in the city of Taizz as Saudi Arabia pressed ahead with its war campaign against Yemen.
Over 8,278 people, including children, have been killed since the Saudis started attacks on the poorest Arab country in March 2015. The strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the countrys facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories.
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