Humanitarian agencies on Thursday called for a permanent ceasefire and that a blockade on Yemen's land, sea and air ports be lifted in order to save the lives of millions of civilians affected by violence.
In a statement by around 13 humanitarian agencies led by the International Rescue Committee, the agencies affirmed that Yemen urgently needs a permanent ceasefire, an end to the Saudi-led commercial blockade, an end to arms transfers to those responsible for breaches of International Humanitarian Law, and a sizeable increase in humanitarian and longer term development funding.
“Millions are at risk of dying from the conflict, preventable diseases and hunger,” said Hanibal Abiy Worku, Norwegian Refugee Council’s Country Director in Yemen. “That the world continues to sit back and watch as a humanitarian disaster of this magnitude unfolds in Yemen is unacceptable and irresponsible.”
Two days ago, minister of local administration and chairman of the high relief committee said the number of Yemenis who need emergency aid increased to 20 million, around 80% of the total population. Abdulraqeeb Fatah blamed the Houthi militants of hindering aid delivery to the people especially in cities where battles between pro-government and pro-Houthi forces are continuing.
The agencies called on the international community to support a lasting solution while pointing out that people in Yemen have some of the greatest humanitarian needs in the world today.
The international community needs to step up and take immediate action to end the violence and respond to the growing crisis, the statement urged.
The statement came a few days before UN-sponsored talks by Yemenis kick off in Geneva and coincided with UN efforts to ensure a new temporary ceasefire. A five-day ceasefire ran during May 12-17.
However, it was violated and insufficient aid was delivered. People in some cities did not get anything due to continued violence.
Around 2,200 people have died and almost 10,000 have been injured in the violence ongoing since late March, according organizations.
A temporary humanitarian pause – that is currently being discussed – is not enough, the statement said, while affirming "only when a permanent ceasefire is in place can meaningful peace talks succeed".
Yemenis are struggling to survive as fuel, food and medical supplies are critically low due to the closure of land, sea and air routes.
Just 14% of national fuel requirements have arrived in country since the end of March. Over 12 million people are going hungry as wheat and other staples are in increasingly short supply.
More than 15 million are without access to health care as hospitals shut down due to lack of medical supplies and power cuts.
Lately, Oxfam said the conflict has left two thirds of the Yemeni people without drinking water and warned most of those in conflict cities have been forced to drink unsafe water.
“Regardless of the outcome of the peace talks, the blockade needs to be immediately lifted and all obstacles hindering the provision of humanitarian aid and other essential commodities should be removed, otherwise more children will die from preventable diseases,” said Priya Jacob, acting country director for Save the Children Yemen. “We are already seeing rates of infection soaring, particularly amongst infants.”
Moreover, humanitarian agencies criticized international support to the Saudi-led military operation against the Houthi militants following the ouster of the UN-backed transition government.
As a result, civilians and civilian infrastructure are being indiscriminately attacked by all sides to the conflict, which is in direct violation of International Humanitarian Law, they said. More than 100 public buildings including schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, they elaborated.
“Yemenis need aid, not arms,” said Philippe Clerc, Country Director for Oxfam Yemen. “Continuing to supply arms to the warring parties will only prolong the conflict and make it more difficult to achieve permanent peace.”
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