The United Nations warned Monday that escalating hostilities in Yemen have forced approximately 142,000 people to flee their homes, pushing the country's already fragile health system to the brink of collapse as hospitals suspend emergency obstetric care to treat the wounded and medical supplies rapidly dwindle.
Speaking at a press briefing at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, cited figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
"Up to today, the escalation in fighting has forced some 142,000 men, women and children to flee their homes. That's what the International Organization for Migration is telling us. We and our humanitarian partners continue to support the response and have reached more than 115,000 internally displaced people so far,"
Nearly 20 million U.S. dollars in emergency funding has been mobilized by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund and the Central Emergency Response Fund to support newly displaced families and communities, Dujarric said. "But we need more money, and we need it very soon."
The fighting has forced some hospitals to suspend emergency obstetric services in order to prioritize treating the wounded, Dujarric said, noting that health partners have deployed more than 20 mobile medical teams, activated rapid response teams, and delivered nearly 60 metric tons of medical supplies.
"But life-saving medical supplies are rapidly dwindling and access remains very difficult due to the ongoing fighting," he warned. "WHO is now warning that overcrowding, unsafe water and poor sanitation in displacement sites are driving up the risk of further disease outbreaks, with cholera alerts already having been raised at a number of sites."
The remarks came as the Houthi group have stepped up their offensive against Yemen's government forces and declared a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government. The two sides have continued to trade missile and drone strikes.
All parties in Yemen and elsewhere must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and must grant unhindered humanitarian access, Dujarric said.
UN warns Yemen conflict pushes health system to brink as 142,000 displaced, cholera alerts raised
UN warns Yemen conflict pushes health system to brink as 142,000 displaced, cholera alerts raised
