23rd October, 2015
More than 3.3 million people are in critical need of health assistance, safe drinking water, food and fuel in the besieged highland city of Taiz in Yemen, according to a top UN official.
Dr Ahmed Shadoul, the World Health Organization’s representative in the country, issued a plea this week for unrestricted access for the delivery of aid into the city, Yemen’s third largest, where he described the situation as "alarming".
"Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians need life-saving medicines and health services, food, safe water and and fuel," he said. "Humanitarian and health needs are increasing and the limited response we have been able to provide is not enough."
The city, considered the country’s cultural capital, has been a battleground between government forces and Houthi rebels and is reportedly currently divided between them.
WHO said patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and cancer have been unable to access life-saving medicines and dialysis centres due to limited access to some health facilities and reduced capability in others. Food shortages have led to price hikes meaning many people are now unable to afford essentials and the main wells used to supply safe drinking water have shut down due to power supply interruptions and lack of generator fuel.
Dr Shadoul called on all parties in the conflict in Yemen to allow humanitarian access to Taiz and for the international community to meet an appeal for $US60 million.
Antoine Grand, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross’ Yemen delegation, reportedly said earlier this week that the situation in the city was "particularly dire, even by the standards of the appalling conditions all over Yemen" with almost half of the hospitals closed and wounded people desperate for treatment.
More than 5,400 people have died in the conflict in Yemen since it began in March.
– DAVID ADAMS
