Saudi attacks on Yemeni water systems increase disease risk: UNICEF

The UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has vehemently condemned recent airstrikes conducted by the Saudi-led coalition on Yemen’s water systems, warning that their destruction could endanger more lives in the impoverished state.

The UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has vehemently condemned recent airstrikes conducted by the Saudi-led coalition on Yemen’s water systems, warning that their destruction could endanger more lives in the impoverished state.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, said that the water facility in Yemen’s northwestern Sa’ada Province had three times come under attack in recent days.

Now, he said, over half of Sa’ada’ water system has been damaged and drinking its water cut off to 10,500 Yemenis.

“UNICEF deplores in the strongest terms yet another attack on vital and lifesaving water systems in Yemen,” Cappelaere said. “Continuous attacks on water systems in Yemen are cutting off children and their families from water; increasing the likelihood of water-borne diseases spreading in the war-torn country.”

He also warned that “more lives – among them many children – will be lost” if the aerial assaults on Yemen’s basic services continue.

The UNICEF official further called on the parties to the Yemen conflict to stop all attacks on the country’s civilian infrastructure, including water systems and facilities, schools, hospitals and clinics.