(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) The United Nations and its humanitarian partners in Yemen on Sunday called upon the international community to provide $273.7 million in urgent aid to meet the needs of 7.5 million people affected by the escalating conflict in Yemen.
They urged donors to act swiftly to support the people of Yemen "at this time of greatest need".
"The escalation in the armed conflict since March 2015 has further deepened the suffering of people across Yemen", said acting Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Purnima Kashyap, at the regional release of the 2015 Yemen Humanitarian Appeal in Amman.
"The most vulnerable are refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, particularly women and children. The statistics become ever more grim by the day", she added.
The release noted the conflict had spread to many parts of Yemen since March, as airstrikes have targeted 18 of the country's 22 governorates. In the south, the conflict continued to intensify, particularly in Aden, where fighting became widespread in residential areas, it added.
Hospitals, schools, airports and mosques were damaged or destroyed across the country amid reports of serious violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law, warned the release.
It said the conflict is taking a "significant toll" on civilians, with over 760 people killed and 2,900 injured between March 19 and April 16, a large number of them civilians.
"These figures are conservative estimates. The true numbers are likely to be higher", according to the appeal, pointing out that the number of people in danger of being without food had increased from 10.6 million to 12 million It said that at least 150,000 people had been displaced. Also, food prices have risen by over 40 per cent in some regions, while fuel prices quadrupled and a lack of fuel and electricity has triggered a breakdown in basic water and sanitation services.
The most urgent needs include medial supplies, safe drinking water, protection, food assistance, emergency shelter and logistical support, it added.
Kashyap welcomed "the generous" pledge announced by Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz towards the flash appeal.
"The flash appeal requirements, however, constitute the bare minimum of what humanitarian organisations consider can be realistically implemented to save and protect lives in the coming three months, but the needs and number of affected people continue to grow as the conflict expands", according to the appeal.
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