UN relief chief voices concern over worsening humanitarian situation in central Yemen

The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Stephen O'Brien, said he was deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation for people living in the central Yemeni city of Taizz, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

Since fighting has intensified there in September, some 200,000 vulnerable civilians were living under a virtual state of siege, in dire need of drinking water, food, medical treatment and other life-saving assistance and protection, deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters here.

"Civilian neighbourhoods, medical facilities and other premises around the city are continually hit by shelling, while checkpoints are preventing people from moving to safer areas and seeking assistance," Haq said, quoting O'Brien, who is also the UN emergency relief coordinator.

Taizz, located some 205 km south of the capital of Sanaa, is Yemen's third largest city, seen as the main gateway to the capital.

Despite repeated attempts by UN agencies and UN humanitarian partners to negotiate access and reach people, O'Brien said trucks have remained stuck at checkpoints and only very limited assistance has been allowed in.

The situation was unacceptable, he said, calling on all parties to work with the UN and other neutral and impartial organizations to urgently facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance and protection to civilians and the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers to Taizz City, without further delay.

Supporters of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backed by Arab coalition forces, have been trying to capture the city from Houthi fighters for months in clashes that have killed hundreds and displaced many more.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition has made some gains against the Houthis, but the advance had been very slow.

At least 5,700 people have been killed in the conflict, which began after the Houthis advanced on the southern port city of Aden in March and forced Hadi into exile.

Sources: XINHUA