NGOs call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full humanitarian access in Yemen.

Several NGOs operating in Yemen are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities across Yemen, including in Sanaa. The NGOs are asking parties to the conflict to allow full and unfettered humanitarian access to people in need and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

CALP hospital, Sana’a, in March 2017: Rehabilitation session with a tetraplegic patient injured during fighting in the north of Yemen. "A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia imposed a total blockade of the country on 6th November after a missile was fi | © Camille Gillardeau / Handicap International

The capital of Yemen, Sanaa, has been under violent clashes and airstrikes for five days, leaving thousands of people in fear, trapped in their homes and without any possibility to access humanitarian assistance. There are reports that dozens of people are have been killed and injured.

Humanitarian staff and personnel are in lock down with no possibility to provide lifesaving care and essential support. The situation is deteriorating hour after hour and the civilian population are primarily bearing the cost of the conflict.

We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately:

- Cease all hostilities and stop using explosive weapons in populated areas in Sanaa and throughout the country.

- Abide by their obligations under IHL and ensure full protection of civilian’s population and civilian’s infrastructures.

- Allow full and unfettered humanitarian access and facilitate the movement of humanitarian workers to ensure and resume humanitarian relief in Saana and across the country.

As the UN Security is meeting on Tuesday 5th December to discuss the situation in Yemen, we ask its members, in particular France, US, UK, Russia and China to publically support the above call and use their diplomatic influence to enable this man-made conflict to stop.

Press contact:
Sylvain Ogier; [email protected]; +33 (0)6 60 97 09 34

Date published: 04/12/17