Local Editor

The United Nations [UN] warned that three months of war has left Yemen in a continuing deteriorating humanitarian and security situation, saying that "civilians are paying the price in this conflict", according to a UN press release on Friday. 

UN Resident Coordinator in Yemen, Paolo Lembo, said that, "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". 

Lembo said: "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".

He 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.

According to the press release: "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".

It added: "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".