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| Yemen crisis: Famine threatens war-torn country, warns UN | Yemen crisis: Famine threatens war-torn country, warns UN |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Yemen's conflict has left it on the brink of famine, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has warned. | Yemen's conflict has left it on the brink of famine, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has warned. |
| Food shortages, lack of fresh water, and low fuel stocks have created a "perfect storm" for the Yemeni people, the WFP's Ertharin Cousin said. | Food shortages, lack of fresh water, and low fuel stocks have created a "perfect storm" for the Yemeni people, the WFP's Ertharin Cousin said. |
| The organisation estimates nearly 13 million people urgently require help. | The organisation estimates nearly 13 million people urgently require help. |
| The conflict has involved Houthi rebel fighters clashing with forces loyal to the Yemeni government and its allies, led by Saudi Arabia. | The conflict has involved Houthi rebel fighters clashing with forces loyal to the Yemeni government and its allies, led by Saudi Arabia. |
| Ms Cousin, who was speaking after a three-day trip to Yemen. said aid agencies were unable to reach areas of need because of the ongoing violence. | Ms Cousin, who was speaking after a three-day trip to Yemen. said aid agencies were unable to reach areas of need because of the ongoing violence. |
| She warned of "irreversible" damage unless food could reach the estimated 1.2m children suffering malnutrition. | She warned of "irreversible" damage unless food could reach the estimated 1.2m children suffering malnutrition. |
| A recent WFP assessment of food security on the ground concluded Yemen was "one step away" from famine. | A recent WFP assessment of food security on the ground concluded Yemen was "one step away" from famine. |
| 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 WFP ship was in the port, which is on the country's west coast, when it was hit by air strikes on Tuesday night. | A WFP ship was in the port, which is on the country's west coast, when it was hit by air strikes 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. |
| 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 |
| Are you in Yemen? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Yemen? Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |