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| Yemen conflict: Country on brink of famine, says UN official | Yemen conflict: Country on brink of famine, says UN official |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Yemen's conflict has pushed it to the brink of famine, a top official says. | |
| Ertharin Cousin, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), said markets in the country do not have enough food to feed the population - nearly 13 million people urgently require help. | |
| Aid agencies are also unable to reach areas of need because of the ongoing violence, she added. | Aid agencies are also unable to reach areas of need because of the ongoing violence, she added. |
| The conflict has involved Houthi rebel fighters clashing with forces loyal to the Yemeni government and its allies. | |
| 'Perfect storm' | 'Perfect storm' |
| Ms Cousin, who was speaking in Cairo after a three-day trip to Yemen, said fighting around the major ports is stalling deliveries of aid. | Ms Cousin, who was speaking in Cairo after a three-day trip to Yemen, said fighting around the major ports is stalling deliveries of aid. |
| She said Yemen faced the "perfect storm" because those people most in need were not being reached and aid groups working there were not getting enough financial support from donors. | She said Yemen faced the "perfect storm" because those people most in need were not being reached and aid groups working there were not getting enough financial support from donors. |
| Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien, who has also just returned from Yemen, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that "the scale of human suffering is almost incomprehensible". | Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien, who has also just returned from Yemen, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that "the scale of human suffering is almost incomprehensible". |
| He also strongly criticised the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for bombing the port of Hodeida, saying it was a violation of international humanitarian law. | He also strongly criticised the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for bombing the port of Hodeida, saying it was a violation of international humanitarian law. |
| A UN World Food Programme ship was in the port, which is on the country's west coast, when it was hit by airstrikes on Tuesday night. | A UN World Food Programme ship was in the port, which is on the country's west coast, when it was hit by airstrikes on Tuesday night. |
| "I am extremely concerned that the damage to the port of Hodeida could have a severe impact on the entire country and will deepen humanitarian needs," Mr O'Brien said. | "I am extremely concerned that the damage to the port of Hodeida could have a severe impact on the entire country and will deepen humanitarian needs," Mr O'Brien said. |
| The UN has raised Yemen to its highest level of humanitarian crisis, placing it alongside emergencies in South Sudan, Syria and Iraq. | The UN has raised Yemen to its highest level of humanitarian crisis, placing it alongside emergencies in South Sudan, Syria and Iraq. |
| Nearly 2,000 civilians are said to have died since the coalition began its bombing campaign in support of the exiled government in March. | Nearly 2,000 civilians are said to have died since the coalition began its bombing campaign in support of the exiled government in March. |
| More than 21 million people in Yemen - about 80% of the population - are in need of help, according to the UN. | More than 21 million people in Yemen - about 80% of the population - are in need of help, according to the UN. |
| Why is there fighting in Yemen? | Why is there fighting in Yemen? |
| Yemen crisis: Who is fighting whom? | Yemen crisis: Who is fighting whom? |
| Meeting the Houthis and their enemies | Meeting the Houthis and their enemies |