Local Editor
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, condemned “unreservedly” the attacks against the premises of three international aid organizations in Yemen’s Al Dhale’e.
“These events represent an alarming escalation in the risks faced by humanitarian workers in Yemen. Twelve organizations have now been forced to suspend aid programs in Al Dhale'e, which will affect 217,000 local residents. Several organizations are working with local staff to ensure the most essential activities can continue,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Three international aid organizations, including Oxfam and IRC, came under attack on Sunday by unknown individuals using rocket-propelled grenades. The assault wounded one person and damaged private property.
The top UN humanitarian official also called for a thorough investigation into the weekend attacks.
Humanitarians reach more than 12 million people across the country each month, he said, adding that they rely on the authorities to ensure they can operate in safe conditions.
Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Nearly five years of fighting between Hadi loyalists, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthi revolutionaries means that around 24 million citizens—or roughly 80 per cent of the population—rely on aid relief.
Source: Yemenwatch.net
