UN Warns of Escalating Humanitarian Disaster in Yemen

The UN has issued a grave warning regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, exacerbated by recent Israeli airstrikes, Arab News reported.

Julien Harneis, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, stated on Saturday that if attacks on critical infrastructure, such as the Sanaa airport and Hodeidah seaport, continue, the situation could deteriorate further. Currently, 19 million people in Yemen are in urgent need of assistance.

Israeli warplanes targeted the Sanaa airport, seaports, and power stations, resulting in at least four fatalities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strikes as retaliation against the Iran-backed Houthis, who have been attacking Israel and international shipping lanes since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Harneis emphasized that the destruction of the airport, a vital hub for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations, poses severe risks to ongoing operations. The Hodeidah seaport, crucial for food and medical supply deliveries, has also suffered damage, reducing its operational capacity by 50%. The UN is negotiating for the release of 17 detained staff members by the Houthis, adding to the anxiety among humanitarian workers in the region.