“Short pauses in the fighting are not satisfactory. What we need is a lasting ceasefire to be able to respond adequately to the grave humanitarian needs,” said NRC’s Country Director for Yemen, Hanibal Abiy Worku.
Even before the current escalation in conflict in Yemen, about 16 million people needed some form of humanitarian assistance. With the recent increase in hostilities the needs have increased further. Since the end of March alone, more than half a million people have been displaced within Yemen.
In light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation, a five day ‘humanitarian pause’ took place between 12 and 17 May – facilitating the delivery of some critical humanitarian assistance. Still, the needs far exceed the response.
“A small number of people have received some assistance during the pause – but the harsh reality is that large majority of Yemeni civilians in need have received nothing. The pause has contributed as much as a drop in the ocean compared to the humanitarian needs in Yemen”, Worku added.
Access
The conflict in Yemen has severely constrained efforts to deliver aid.
“Humanitarian organisations should have safe access to support the millions of Yemenis in urgent need. Many of them cannot wait”, Worku said.
“Families are living in an increasingly desperate situation, without sufficient food and clean drinking water. Many children are acutely undernourished. The security situation and the lack of fuel prevent us from reaching them”, he added.
Need for fuel
Yemen is to large extent dependent on imports for its food and fuel and the conflict has severely hampered the ability to get the necessary goods into the country.
Fuel reached Sana'a during the pause, but in very small quantities.
“It is a battle against time to get the necessary assistance to people in need. If the necessary fuel is not available, we will not be able to do much”, Worku said.
