Local Editor

The UN humanitarian chief warned Tuesday that a "humanitarian catastrophe" is unfolding in Yemen, exacerbated by increasing restrictions on efforts to respond to the staggering needs of millions of people including the diversion of a UN aid ship by Saudi-led coalition forces.

United Nations' Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, concluded that the war on Yemen resulted in more than 35,000 casualties since March 2015 including over 6,000 deaths; at least 7.6 million people "severely food insecure;" more than 3.4 million children now out of school; and nearly 600 health facilities and over 1,170 schools unfit for use because of the conflict.

O'Brien said he is "extremely concerned" about increasing restrictions on humanitarian access and deliveries.

He noted that aid deliveries are continuing in some areas controlled by the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, but movement "is extremely challenging and dangerous."

He further explained that access to northern governorates, where needs are among the most severe, is challenging because of coalition airstrikes and fighting, especially along the Saudi border.

Earlier on January 17, Saudi Arabia denied entry to the UN regional humanitarian coordinator, and on February 11, the diversion of a ship chartered by the UN World Food Program to bring humanitarian supplies from Djibouti to the Yemen port of Hudeidah was also denied by the Saudis.

O'Brien urged the Security Council to demand that all combatants facilitate unconditional humanitarian access to all parts of Yemen and to take greater measures to protect civilians.

He also called donors to urgently support an appeal to be launched in two days for $1.8 billion for critical needs in Yemen.

For its part, the Security Council urged donors to be generous calling all parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and commercial goods including fuel for civilian purpose to all parts of Yemen, and "ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team