Unified Nepal
UNITED NATIONS, September 29:
According to the United Nations humanitarian agency, the rising violence in Yemen has led to an increase in the displacement of civilians and the risk of disease spread.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing the International Organization for Migration, has said that 142,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing violence across the country.
The United Nations and its partners are supporting displaced and affected communities. So far, more than 115,000 people have been provided with assistance, while nearly $20 million in emergency assistance has been mobilized for newly displaced families and the communities hosting them.
The ongoing conflict has put additional pressure on Yemen’s already fragile health system, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Some hospitals have even had to suspend emergency obstetric care to treat the wounded. Health partners have deployed more than 20 mobile health teams, activated emergency response teams, and distributed nearly 60 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies.
However, life-saving medical supplies are rapidly depleting and access to many affected areas remains difficult, the office said, adding that additional financial support is urgently needed.
The risk of disease outbreaks has also increased as violence has increased. More than 7,800 suspected cases of cholera and more than 22,000 suspected measles cases have been reported across Yemen this year. The World Health Organization says overcrowding, unsafe water, and poor sanitation in displacement camps are putting the risk of further disease outbreaks at risk. Cholera warnings have been issued in some displacement sites.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, 42 people have been confirmed dead and 115 injured between the beginning of August and September 26. Half of the dead are children, while nearly two-thirds of the injured are women and children. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has called on all parties involved in Yemen to ensure the safety of civilians and create an environment that allows safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for those in need. (RSS/Xinhua)
