Humanitarian situation deteriorating in Yemen's Taiz

Medical sources have warned against the deteriorating humanitarian and health conditions in the southwestern Yemeni governorate of Taiz due to the siege imposed by Houthi militants which ban the arrival of human aid, food and security supplies to the city.

The sources told the Yemeni news agency that Taiz has witnessed fierce clashes over the past four months, warning against the tragic situation of the health sector and the closure of more than seven hospitals.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed serious concern about an increase in fighting in the city of Taiz. There has been indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas. Essential infrastructure is being destroyed.

"We call on the parties on the ground in Taiz to allow the safe passage of ambulances, medical workers and aid workers so that lives can be saved and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance can be made possible," said the head of the ICRC in Taiz, Olivier Chassot.

The health situation in the governorate is particularly dire. The handful of hospitals still functioning are having to deal with large numbers of wounded people as well as severe shortage of supplies. The ICRC has had serious difficulties in delivering lifesaving medical and surgical supplies to a number of hospitals in Taiz.

"During the past two weeks, paramedics have had to put themselves in harm's way, working their way through heavy ground fighting, airstrikes and snipers to reach the wounded. This is unacceptable," said the acting head of the ICRC in Yemen, Kedir Awol Omar.

Source: MENA