(MENAFN- QNA) Aid agencies today called for US$1.6 billion to help the most vulnerable 11.7 million people affected by the devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Of this total, a funding shortfall of more than US$1.4 billion remains up till the end of the year.
"A looming humanitarian catastrophe is facing Yemen," warned the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, at the launch of the appeal in Geneva. "People across the country are struggling to feed their families. Basic services are collapsing in all regions. Millions of families no longer have access to clean water, proper sanitation or basic healthcare. Deadly diseases such as dengue and malaria have broken out, and supplies for acute trauma care are running dangerously low."
Thousands of people have been killed and injured by airstrikes and ground fighting in the last three months. Over 1 million people have fled their homes and civilians have been targeted as they try to reach safer areas. A staggering 80 per cent of the population need humanitarian assistance - over 21 million people. Innocent men, women and children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
"The disregard for international humanitarian law by parties to the conflict has come with a high human toll. There is also an urgent need for full resumption of commercial imports as reductions have crippled the country, putting millions at risk," said Mr. O’Brien.
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