United Nations: According to the UN Yemen’s civilians are facing an “immeasurable” crisis with the onset of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Though the ceasefire has improved humanitarian access, but some areas face many problems such as rising temperature, erratic electricity supply and limited access to food and water.
The temperatures across Red Sea coast, often exceed 40C. The Muslims are facing many challenges. Most of them refrain from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk.
Abdu Abdullah Gharefah a resident of Hudida said. “We’re suffering not only poverty, but frequent power cuts and lack of water.” He added.”This is causing disease to spread among adults and children. Our life is difficult but we’re holding on.”
The food, fuel and medicines are in short supply and that has pushed prices up says the UN and the imports are still restricted and many cargo ships cannot offload at Yemen’s ports.
The country relies on imports for 90 percent of its food, but shipments have been falling since the war began; 21 million out of its 28 million people need some form of humanitarian aid and over half the population suffer from malnutrition.
The UN is appealing for $1.8bn in aid for Yemen this year. So far it has received just 17 percent of that.
Abdesalam Al-Mahtoury, an economic analyst, said. “This could be the worst year in the history of Yemen, especially with the start of the holy month of Ramadan,”
He said. “No doubt prices have gone up as a result of the siege that’s been imposed for more than 14 months.”
Since March last year, more than 6,400 people were killed and displaced 2.8 million in Yemen conflict.