Transport Minister, UN Coordinator discuss Sanaa Airport closure repercussions

SANAA, Aug. 7 (YPA) – Minister of Transport Zakaria al-Shami on Wednesday discussed with UN Resident Coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande repercussions of the continued closure of Sanaa Airport, which has caused the death of many patients in need of treatment abroad.

The meeting reviewed the security turmoil in the southern port city of Aden city and the forcible deportation of the northern provinces’ people from the city, as well as the prevention of citizens from travelling through Aden airport, which exacerbated the suffering of patients traveling for treatment abroad.

In the meeting, al-Shami stressed the importance of opening Sanaa Airport to alleviate the suffering of thousands of patients who need to travel for treatment abroad and facilitate the return of students and residents abroad to Yemen.

He called on the United Nations and the Security Council to expedite reopening of Sanaa airport to transport the citizens and patients, whom were prevented from travelling through the occupied provinces’ airports.

For her part, Grande described the humanitarian situation in Yemen as tragic, noting that the United Nations understands the situation and works to mitigate the suffering of Yemenis.

“Reopening of Sanaa International Airport is humanitarian necessity to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people,” she said.

YPA