The United Nations children’s agency says some 100,000 people have been displaced in the conflict in Yemen, while children continue to be killed, maimed, and at risk from disease.
UNICEF released a statement saying across Yemen, people have left their homes in search of a safer place to stay, putting increased pressure on hospitals and other services.
It said such internal displacement puts children’s health at risk and interrupts their education. UNICEF has called for special attention and protection to these children and their families, in line with international humanitarian law.
On Monday, fierce clashes raged in southern Yemen between Shi’ite Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the country’s president, as the Red Cross faced delays with urgently needed aid deliveries.
The Houthis tried to strengthen their positions in the port city of Aden, and to the west. Witnesses say a foreign warship shelled targets in and around Aden, and Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit an airbase north of the city, forcing Houthi fighters to flee the area.
Coalition warplanes also carried out airstrikes in the capital, Sana’a, hitting a security headquarters and another military compound used by the rebels.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross says it has not been able to deliver tons of medical supplies in Yemen.
The organization said it has approval from the Saudi-led coalition, but logistical concerns about flying into the war-torn country are delaying the process.
On Monday, the United States condemned what it called “reprehensible attacks” on relief workers in Yemen and Syria on Friday, saying the attacks led the deaths of four more relief personnel.
China calls for cease-fire
China’s Foreign Ministry added its support on Tuesday to calls for a cease-fire in Yemen, after Russia and the Red Cross appealed for a military pause to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians.
“China is deeply worried by the recent development of the situation in Yemen. We call on all relevant parties to quickly implement a ceasefire and avoid further civilian casualties. China also hopes that all relevant sides can earnestly implement relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and Gulf Cooperation Council proposals and resolve the crisis through political dialog so as to quickly restore Yemen’s stability and normal legal order,” the ministry’s spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing in Beijing.
“Meanwhile, we are paying close attention to the severity of the humanitarian situation in Yemen and call on all sides to respect relevant international law and provide safety guarantee and convenience for other countries to evacuate their nationals. The United Nationals Security Council should pay a constructive role in easing tension, and the humanitarian situation in Yemen and pushing forward a political solution,” she added.
China, a low-key diplomatic player in the Middle East despite its reliance on oil from the region, had previously expressed concern at the upsurge in violence in Yemen and called for a political solution.
Some material in this report came from Reuters.
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