The humanitarian crisis in Yemen risks worsening

Oxfam and other humanitarian organizations warn that escalating fighting along the Yemeni coast could prevent supplies from reaching their destination.

Fighting around the port of Mokha town has forced thousands of people from their homes, and according to the UN, the fighting has also left 20,000 to 30,000 people trapped in the town. These people are in need of immediate protection and assistance. But as the fighting moves north, many organizations working in Yemen, including Oxfam, fear that the vital port of Hodheida will be blocked, which would exacerbate the already widespread humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Since March 2015, an estimated 46,000 people in Yemen have been injured or died in the conflict, and more than three million people have been forced to flee their homes. Around seven million people do not know where their next meal will come from and not even half of the country's health facilities are fully functional.

"With more than 2 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, it is very important that Yemen's airports and seaports are functioning and able to receive food and supplies such as essential medicines that are not available in the country," said Said Shoqi Maktary from the Common Ground organization in Yemen.

Before the escalation of the conflict in 2015, Yemen imported around 90% of its food. But today, the main airport in the city of Sana'a is closed. Oxfam and the other organizations are calling on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and facilitate the safe movement of those remaining in the conflict areas. We also call on all parties to allow humanitarian access to those in need, to stop damaging vital infrastructure and to allow food and supplies to reach conflict-affected residents.

Signed by:

ACF

ACTED

ADRA

CARE International

DRC

Global Communities - Yemen

IRC

Islamic Relief

Mercy Corps

Oxfam

Pure Hands

Save the Children

Search for Common Ground - Yemen

World Relief Germany

ZOA