Any attack on Hodeidah will affect thousands of innocent lives: UN official

YemenExtra

M.A.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Lise Grande, warned that any military assault or siege on Hodeidah province will influence the lives of hundreds of thousands. 

In a statement issued on Friday, Grande expressed her concern that “Up to 250,000 people could lose everything, even their lives” due to a possible military attack on the coastal city of Hodeidah.

According to the statement, the United Nations and its partners estimate that as many as 600,000 civilians are currently residing  in Hodeidah and neighboring areas.

Grande noted that the cessation of imports through Hodeidah for any period of time will put Yemen’s population at serious risk.

“In addition to being one of the most densely populated areas in Yemen, Hodeidah is the most important entry point for food and basic supplies needed to prevent famine and cholera recurrence,” the statement mentioned.

Nearly 70 percent of Yemen’s imports, including commercial goods and humanitarian aid, enter using Hodeidah port and Salif port, north of Hodeidah.

The statement affirmed that Yemen is already witnessing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, calling on all parts to conflict to work on protecting civilians and ensure that life-saving assistance reaches them.