Dozens of civilians killed and injured as a result of attacks in Hodeidah

2223

On 24 October, at least 21 civilians were killed and 10 injured when strikes hit a vegetable packaging facility in Al-Masoudi in Bayt Al-Faqih District. In a separate incident on the same day, three more people were killed and six injured when strikes hit three vehicles on 7 Yuliyu road in Al Hali District in Hodeidah Governorate.

“Civilians are paying a shocking price because of this conflict,” said Ms. Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen. “This is the third time this month that fighting has caused mass casualties in Hodeidah.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” said Ms. Grande. Humanitarian partners report that more than 170 people have been killed, at least 1,700 have been injured and more than 570,000 people have been forced to flee their homes across Hodeidah Governorate since fighting escalated in June.

Since May, partners have recorded more than 5,000 separate violations of international humanitarian law, including mass civilian casualties and destruction and damage to hospitals, electricity and water systems, markets, roads and bridges.

“Yemen is facing the largest famine in recent memory,” said Ms. Grande. “There is no time to lose. Everything possible has to be done to help save the 14 million people who are at risk of famine. The first, most important step, is to stop the fighting.”

Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Twenty-two million people, 75 per cent of the population in Yemen, require some form of humanitarian assistance and protection. Since 2016, over 65,000 Yemenis are estimated to have been either killed or injured in the conflict, of whom the UN has documented 16,000 civilian deaths.

The UN and partners are requesting USD 3 billion through the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan to support millions of people in need across the country. To date, USD 2.06 billion, 70 per cent of the resources required, has been received.