As Yemen Online reports, the situation in Yemen remains fragile and humanitarian needs continue to grow due to the combined effects of decades of conflict, a severe economic crisis, disruptive public services and recurring natural hazards, further exacerbated by climate change.
The UN confirms that the country's food crisis has reached the highest level recorded in a year. Specifically, the World Food Programme (WFP) stated that in February 2024, more than half of Yemeni households did not have access to adequate food, reaching the highest level recorded in 17 months, and an increase of eight per cent compared to 2023.
The worsening economic situation has also led to unprecedented increases in food and fuel prices, leaving many families without access to basic necessities. As a result of falling incomes, the population is at risk of absolute poverty and malnutrition.
As Safer World Global reports, the war has had a dramatic impact on every aspect of the population's lives, and for eight years civilians have been unable to see their families or access essential health care, goods and services.
The conflict has split the city of Taiz in half: the main roads have been closed by Ansar Allah (Houthi rebel forces) since 2015. People who need to travel from one side of the city to the other have to cross dangerous mountain roads, taking many hours. The siege has also isolated and cut off the citizens of Taiz from other nearby towns, making travel very difficult.
The health system is almost collapsing. The inability of citizens to take part in vaccination campaigns contributes to the recurrence of epidemics and the spread of communicable diseases such as measles, polio and cholera.
Patients die on the way to treatment centers or at home because they are unable to travel, due to rising prices for transport and treatment.
The new Houthi attacks could also provoke a new round of war, threatening efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg called for maximum restraint to protect the peace process and to keep communication channels open.
The protection of civilians and systematic violations of international humanitarian law remain a major concern. Mines, IEDs and other explosive remnants of war are a daily threat to civilians.
In fact, the Houthi terrorist group has turned Yemen into the largest minefield in the world by placing some two million mines, causing thousands of deaths and injuries among civilians, especially children and women.
To read more, visit:
https://www.saferworld-global.org/multimedia/a-city-under-siege-the-realities-of-yemenas-war-in-taiz
https://www.yemenonline.info/Human%20Rights/8065
https://www.yemenonline.info/Focus/8077
