Yemen on brink of ‘major catastrophe’

UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned yesterday that Yemen was “on the brink of a major catastrophe”, as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country.

His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Huthi rebels and pro-government forces in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, vital for the flow of humanitarian aid.

“Yemen is on the brink of a major catastrophe,” Lowcock said, as he wrapped up a visit to the country.

He said conditions had deteriorated alarmingly since his last visit in October 2017 to Yemen, which the United Nations has termed the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

“In Aden, I met emaciated children so malnourished they could barely open their eyes,” Lowcock said in a statement.

“Humanitarian assistance helps many of these children recover. But I also heard heartbreaking stories of children relapsing again and again because their families simply can’t afford food or proper medical care,” he said.

Lowcock reiterated the UN’s readiness to play a role to ensure that the rebel-held Hodeida port, a key entry point for imports and aid, can remain open.

Under heavy international pressure, Saudi-backed pro-government forces have largely suspended an offensive launched in June to take the port city.

Sporadic clashes have however continued since a fragile truce began on November 13.

Fighting on Friday in the east and south of Hodeida left 10 fighters dead, an official and medical sources told AFP on Saturday.

 

Yemen on brink of major catastrophe

UN aid chief Mark Lowcock warned yesterday that Yemen was on the brink of a major catastrophe, as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country. His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Huthi rebels and pro-government forces in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, vital for the flow of humanitarian aid. Yemen is on the brink of a major catastrophe, Lowcock said, as he wrapped up a visit to the country. He said conditions had deteriorated alarmingly since his last visit in October 2017 to Yemen, which the United Nations has termed the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. In Aden, I met emaciated children so malnourished they could barely open their eyes, Lowcock said in a statement. Humanitarian assistance helps many of these children recover. But I also heard heartbreaking stories of children relapsing again and again because their families simply cant afford food or proper medical care, he said. Lowcock reiterated the UNs readiness to play a role to ensure that the rebel-held Hodeida port, a key entry point for imports and aid, can remain open. Under heavy international pressure, Saudi-backed pro-government forces have largely suspended an offensive launched in June to take the port city. Sporadic clashes have however continued since a fragile truce began on November 13. Fighting on Friday in the east and south of Hodeida left 10 fighters dead, an official and medical sources told AFP on Saturday.