Damage to civilian infrastructure ‘jeopardizes everything we’re trying to do’ in Yemen: UN coordinator
Introduction:
Damage to the civilian infrastructure in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah could “jeopardize everything” relief operations are trying to do, said the UN humanitarian coordinator for the country on Wednesday.
Last year, Yemen suffered the greatest cholera outbreak in modern history, leaving humanitarian operations “one tiny step ahead of a major cholera catastrophe”, according to Lise Grande. But with already 75 per cent of the population dependent on humanitarian aid, she said, the severely malnourished might be too weak to survive another outbreak, which could spread quickly if water and sanitation facilities are not kept safe from contamination.
Ms. Grande spoke to Reem Abaza to reiterate the UN’s demand that all parties to the conflict protect civilian infrastructure.
Damage to the civilian infrastructure in the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah could “jeopardize everything” relief operations are trying to do, said the UN humanitarian coordinator for the country on Wednesday.
Last year, Yemen suffered the greatest cholera outbreak in modern history, leaving humanitarian operations “one tiny step ahead of a major cholera catastrophe”, according to Lise Grande. But with already 75 per cent of the population dependent on humanitarian aid, she said, the severely malnourished might be too weak to survive another outbreak, which could spread quickly if water and sanitation facilities are not kept safe from contamination.
Ms. Grande spoke to Reem Abaza to reiterate the UN’s demand that all parties to the conflict protect civilian infrastructure.