Yemen–the ‘worst humanitarian crisis in the world’ continues

The conflict in Yemen has been labelled the ‘worst humanitarian crisis in the world’ by the EU and characterised by the UN as ‘entirely man-made’.

It was reported in late October 2018 that the Saudi-led coalition was deploying an additional 10,000 troops as part of a planned new offensive against the port city of Hodeida, which is the principal humanitarian lifeline allowing food and medical aid to reach almost two-thirds of the Yemeni population located in Houthi-controlled territory.

The UN has warned that Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the Arab world prior to the conflict, is now on the brink of widespread famine, which could lead to further massive loss of life. Yemen is also suffering from one of the largest cholera outbreaks in recorded history, with over one million suspected cases.

It has been estimated that since 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has conducted 18,000 airstrikes, one third of which have hit non-military targets. On 11 November 2018, the area around Hodeida’s main hospital came under sustained air attack.

The UN High Commissioner of Human Rights has suggested that war crimes may have been committed by both sides to the conflict, noting reports of sexual violence, torture and child soldier recruitment.

The crimes and attacks on Yemen continue to this day.