ESCALATION OF FIGHTING IN HODEIDA THREATENS HUMANITARIAN ASSITANCE

 With the ongoing clashes around the frontline of Hodeida, one of the main Action contre la Faim’s warehouses, serving humanitarian operations in the country, suffered collateral damage from the ongoing conflict. After calls for a ceasefire by the international community only a matter of weeks ago, this is a deeply disturbing development. Action contre la Faim calls on all parties to the conflict to respect humanitarian activities and facilities to preserve essential aid to thousands people in need in the country.

Action contre la Faim’s warehouse located in the north of Hodeida has been hit by a stray bullet around 10:50 am on Thursday 22nd November. It came in through the glass door while two of Action contre la Faim’s staff members were on duty in the warehouse. The two staff members are safe but had to stop their activities.

“The warehouse serves Action Contre la Faim’s humanitarian operations in the north of the country and is a storage place for essential equipment such as medical supplies, hygiene kits and other non-food items” said Valentina Ferrante, Country Director for Action contre la Faim in Yemen.  

Action contre la Faim in Yemen is extremely concerned about the escalation of fighting in Hodeida and of the impact that it has on civilians. 80% of the population in Yemen need humanitarian assistance including 11.3 million for life saving aid.

The humanitarian agency calls on all warrying parties to respect the deconfliction mechanism that informs of the locations of humanitarian static locations and humanitarian movements in Yemen aiming to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian premises, personnel, equipment and activities in areas of active military operations.

“All parties to the conflict must immediately stop the violence considering the catastrophic impact it has on the civilians across Yemen” called Valentina Ferrante.