Humanitarian forum warns of catastrophe, famine in Yemen

SANAA, Feb. 25 (YPA) – Head of Yemeni Humanitarian Forum, Dr. Hilal Al-Bahri warned on Sunday of deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen due to the continued all-out siege imposed on it by Saudi-led coalition forces.

In an exclusive statement to Yemen Press Agency, Dr. al-Bahri said that the blockade has created a humanitarian disaster and famine for more than 24 million Yemeni citizens in need of food security.

He affirmed that 17 million Yemenis need clean drinking water and environmental sanitation, and more than 466,000 Yemeni children suffer from acute malnutrition.

The health situation is getting worse in light of the spread of many epidemics and diseases, including cholera that wiped out lives of more than 2,500 citizens and infected over two millions others, according to Dr. al-Bahri.

“Before asking the international community for aid and assistance, we call on it to stop the war and lift the siege imposed on Yemen, which will have an effective contribution to alleviate the famine and disaster suffered by Yemeni people,” he said.

The United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018 is good, but the most important is its implementation, he added.

Thekra/bam