United Nations humanitarian chief urges protecting civilians in Yemen

Protecting civilians amid the unabated conflict in Yemen is the most pressing concern today, the top United Nations relief official told the Security Council, UN News Center reported.

“All parties in this conflict have an obligation under international humanitarian law to take every measure to ensure civilians and civilian objects are protected,” UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien told the 15-member body by teleconference.

He called it “unacceptable” that health facilities were being hit, referring to an attack on 24 February when Coalition air strikes reportedly destroyed a health center in Bidbadah district of Marib Governorate, and 1 March airstrikes that reportedly landed within 20 meters of a hospital in Sa'ada.

“It is critical that the parties make guarantees that these locations will be protected,” Mr. O'Brien added, including as “protected places” sites such as hospitals, schools and homes, which he said continue to be hit by all parties.

Source: MENA