oxfam logo

One person dies every three hours in the war in Yemen

October 26, 2018

The civilian population faces life-threatening war, disease and hunger. Since early August, one civilian has been killed every three hours in the fighting in Yemen. At the same time, many in the country are also losing their lives to disease and hunger.

Between August 1 and October 15, 575 civilians have been killed in the fighting, including 136 children and 63 women. Over 1.1 million people have been affected by cholera in the last 18 months and over 2000 people have died from the disease. In the same period, 100 deaths from diphtheria have also occurred.

This week, the UN warned that over 14 million people could die from starvation if the war continues.

"Every life lost in this disgraceful conflict, whether as a result of armed attacks, starvation or disease, should result in an international scandal."

Muhsin Siddiquey, Oxfam country director in Yemen.

Germany has halted arms sales to Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul and has called on all EU states to do the same. Oxfam is calling on governments, including the UK and US, to end arms sales to the Saudis because of their disregard for the deaths in the war in Yemen.

On Wednesday, 16 civilians died in an airstrike on a vegetable market in the city of Hodeida. Earlier in October, 15 civilians, including four children, died and 23 were injured when Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit two buses at a Huthi-held checkpoint in the city's southeast. In southern Hodeida, a young woman died and seven people, including six children, were injured when a refugee camp came under attack.

The recent weakening of Yemen's currency, the rial, has led to skyrocketing food prices. The price of fuel has also increased dramatically. Many people depend on truck deliveries of clean water, but if it becomes too expensive or inaccessible, people may be forced to drink contaminated water, increasing the risk of disease.

"The international community must do whatever it takes to get all sides in this war to agree on a ceasefire," said Siddiquey.