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UN to launch fresh Yemen aid appeal amid worsening humanitarian crisis UN launches fresh Yemen aid appeal as WHO confirms dengue fever outbreak
(about 7 hours later)
The United Nations is set to launch a renewed appeal for funds on Friday to help civilians in Yemen, as a growing humanitarian crisis spirals out of control and a massive aid pledge by Saudi Arabia fails to materialise. The United Nations has launched a renewed appeal for $1.6bn in funds to help civilians in Yemen, as the World Health Organisation confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in the Arab world’s poorest country, where a growing humanitarian crisis is spiralling out of control and a massive aid pledge by Saudi Arabia has failed to materialise.
Yemen is reeling from the effects of a blockade imposed by a Saudi-led coalition, which launched an aerial campaign in March to stem the advance of Houthi rebels allied with Iran.Yemen is reeling from the effects of a blockade imposed by a Saudi-led coalition, which launched an aerial campaign in March to stem the advance of Houthi rebels allied with Iran.
The blockade has led to major fuel, water and medicine shortages in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country – where 21 million people, or 80% of the population, are now believed by the UN to be in need of humanitarian assistance. The blockade has led to major fuel, water and medicine shortages in Yemen, where 21 million people, or 80% of the population, are now believed by the UN to be in need of humanitarian assistance.
Related: Saudi-led naval blockade leaves 20m Yemenis facing humanitarian disasterRelated: Saudi-led naval blockade leaves 20m Yemenis facing humanitarian disaster
The World Health Organisation now says it has confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in the country, with more than 3,000 cases recorded – a number that is likely to rise due to the collapsing infrastructure and health system. Stephen O’Brien, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, launched the revised funding appeal, telling donors that a “looming catastrophe” was in the making.
The WHO says it has confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in the country, with more than 3,000 cases recorded since March – a number that is likely to rise due to the collapsing infrastructure and health system.
A health ministry official in the southern port city of Aden told the Associated Press that at least 5,000 people have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus. He said mountains of uncollected garbage, along with untreated sewage and heat, have contributed to its spread.
Dengue causes fever, headaches and skin rashes. Potentially lethal cases, mainly in children, involve abdominal pain, vomiting and difficulty breathing, according to the WHO.
The Houthis, members of the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam, took control of Sana’a last year before advancing on the country’s south, driving President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.The Houthis, members of the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam, took control of Sana’a last year before advancing on the country’s south, driving President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.
They are allied with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in a deal brokered by the Gulf states after Arab spring-style protests. The Saudi coalition is concerned about the growing influence of its regional rival Iran, and has responded with near-daily air strikes.They are allied with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in a deal brokered by the Gulf states after Arab spring-style protests. The Saudi coalition is concerned about the growing influence of its regional rival Iran, and has responded with near-daily air strikes.
Over 2,500 people have been killed and 11,000 injured so far in the war, which has had limited success in halting the Houthi advance.Over 2,500 people have been killed and 11,000 injured so far in the war, which has had limited success in halting the Houthi advance.
Amanda Pitt, the spokesperson for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), told the Guardian the organisation would launch a revised appeal on Friday “to highlight the significantly increased aid and protection needs across the country”. Amanda Pitt, the spokesperson for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), told the Guardian on Thursday the organisation’s appeal would “highlight the significantly increased aid and protection needs across the country”.
“As with all the crises we are dealing with, appeals are issued on the basis of people’s needs,” she said. “They are aimed at all or any donors, be they governmental, private sector or individuals, to raise the funds needed to carry out vital aid activities.”“As with all the crises we are dealing with, appeals are issued on the basis of people’s needs,” she said. “They are aimed at all or any donors, be they governmental, private sector or individuals, to raise the funds needed to carry out vital aid activities.”
Related: Yemen conflict: 'This war has killed everything that was beautiful'Related: Yemen conflict: 'This war has killed everything that was beautiful'
The UN launched a “flash appeal” in April, urgently asking for $274m in funds to deal with the crisis. Saudi Arabia said at the time that it would cover the entire cost of the appeal, ordering the disbursement of $274m towards humanitarian aid in Yemen.The UN launched a “flash appeal” in April, urgently asking for $274m in funds to deal with the crisis. Saudi Arabia said at the time that it would cover the entire cost of the appeal, ordering the disbursement of $274m towards humanitarian aid in Yemen.
However, the Saudi pledge has yet to materialise. The UN says it has so far received $163m in Yemen funds in 2015, but a list of donors that was last updated on Wednesday does not include Saudi Arabia.However, the Saudi pledge has yet to materialise. The UN says it has so far received $163m in Yemen funds in 2015, but a list of donors that was last updated on Wednesday does not include Saudi Arabia.
“We are continuing to work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the modalities of transferring the humanitarian funds that were pledged to help the people of Yemen,” said Pitt.“We are continuing to work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the modalities of transferring the humanitarian funds that were pledged to help the people of Yemen,” said Pitt.
“Of course we cannot speak on behalf of donors or determine decisions made by them with regard to timing, recipients, or other factors related to humanitarian funding.”“Of course we cannot speak on behalf of donors or determine decisions made by them with regard to timing, recipients, or other factors related to humanitarian funding.”
Related: Crisis in Yemen – the Guardian briefingRelated: Crisis in Yemen – the Guardian briefing
The aid appeal comes against a backdrop of UN-brokered talks in Geneva between Yemeni factions involved in the war that has made little progress towards a resolution to the conflict.The aid appeal comes against a backdrop of UN-brokered talks in Geneva between Yemeni factions involved in the war that has made little progress towards a resolution to the conflict.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon earlier this week called for an immediate halt to the fighting in Yemen at the opening of the talks: “Yemen’s very existence hangs in the balance.”UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon earlier this week called for an immediate halt to the fighting in Yemen at the opening of the talks: “Yemen’s very existence hangs in the balance.”