CARE International: Saudi Arabia is responsible for killing thousands of innocent patients in Yemen
SANAA, Sept. 04 (YPA) – The Organization of American Islamic Relations “CARE” said that Saudi Arabia is responsible for killing thousands of innocent patients in Yemen due to the restrictions it imposes on the country.
In its report, published on its website, the organization stated that the Saudi-led coalition has continued to impose restrictions on Sanaa airport for five years, as millions of Yemenis are locked up in a war zone and prevents the movement of humanitarian and commercial goods.
The organization indicated that as a result of Saudi restrictions, thousands of Yemenis suffering from chronic diseases died while waiting for urgent treatment.
The organization indicated that the closure of Sanaa airport for the fifth year in a row has hindered the travel of at least 32,000 Yemeni patients in critical condition who need life-saving treatment abroad since the first and last medical flights in February of last year.
The airport closure is also causing billions in economic losses over the past five years, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation, she added.
The organization stated that “patients are trapped in Yemen, even when there is a way to save them. For thousands of sick Yemenis who need urgent medical treatment abroad, the last five years have been a death sentence.”
“Five years ago, Yemenis were stripped of their right to travel abroad for medical care, conduct business, work, study or visit family. Thousands of Yemenis living abroad are stuck outside the country or face difficulties in visiting their home country.
On August 9, 2016, the Saudi-led coalition imposed restrictions on Yemeni airspace, closing Sanaa airport to commercial flights, trapping millions of Yemenis in a war zone and preventing the free movement of humanitarian and commercial goods from entering this route.
Five years later, the airport has not yet reopened. As a result, thousands of Yemenis with long-term health conditions such as cancer, kidney, liver, and blood have died while awaiting treatment not available in Yemen.
The airport closure has also led to an almost complete halt to commercial shipments such as medicines, medical supplies and equipment coming into the country.
Combined with the restrictions imposed on the port of Hodeidah, this has doubled the prices of some medicines, making them unaffordable for most of the population, and has further contributed to the deterioration of the health system in Yemen, which has already been devastated by the conflict.
The international organization urged the Saudi-led coalition to put the lives of Yemeni civilians first by agreeing to reopen Sanaa airport to commercial flights to help the international community alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the closure.