A report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) indicates that 80 percent, or more than 20 million people in Yemen, who are embroiled in civil war and airstrikes from Arab countries, require humanitarian aid. Reuters reported on Thursday, June 11, reflecting the international organization's findings, which show that since UNICEF's last report a week ago, the number of Yemenis in need of humanitarian assistance has increased by five million. The military coalition of Arab countries has been targeting the positions of Houthi rebels, who have taken power in Yemen following the ousting of the Yemeni president, for over 11 weeks. This coalition has also imposed a blockade on Yemen's air routes and ports, effectively halting the delivery of food and fuel to the country. Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF's deputy representative in Sana'a, Yemen's capital, stated that 'it is estimated that 20.4 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance, of which 9.3 million are children.' He added, 'The blockade of Yemen's ports, despite some openings, effectively means that fuel is not entering the country, and since the water pumps are mechanized, this means that more than 20 million people lack access to safe water.' According to this UNICEF official, other issues making humanitarian aid essential for the people of Yemen include malnutrition, lack of medicine, increased casualties from airstrikes, recruitment of children, and destruction of schools by warring parties. Reuters notes that even before the war began in Yemen, UNICEF reported that about 10 million Yemenis needed humanitarian assistance. However, the war has exacerbated the situation in every respect. The report cites medical sources in the city of Aden stating that in recent weeks, dozens of people have died due to a sudden increase in cases of dengue fever and malaria, diseases that are themselves a result of the lack of safe water and absence of waste collection systems during the hot season.
UNICEF: Over 20 Million Yemenis in Need of Humanitarian Assistance
UNICEF reports that over 20 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance due to ongoing civil war and airstrikes, with a significant increase in needs since last week. The blockade imposed by an Arab military coalition has severely restricted access to food and water, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. This situation highlights the dire conditions in Yemen and the urgent need for international aid.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
UNICEF reported that over 20 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance due to ongoing civil war and a blockade by an Arab military coalition. The situation has worsened significantly, with a recent increase of five million people in need since the last report.
- 80% of Yemen's population requires humanitarian aid.
- The blockade has severely restricted access to food, fuel, and safe water.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, leading to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by foreign military interventions and blockades.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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