United Nations calls for pause to extend help to almost three million Yemenis affected by the armed conflict between a Saudi -led coalition and Houthi rebels. The call to stop the fighting was disregarded by both parties. The aid will be given only if the fighting stops.
According to The Washington Post, the United Nations Humanitarian chief said that the attempt for a humanitarian pause in Yemen "has not been respected by both party to the conflict."
Stephen O'Brien is the United Nations Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs. He briefed the Security Council on July 21 and asked again for an "unconditional freeze". The five-day fighting pause request fell apart the morning of July 27.
According to the United Nations, they are asking both parties to give space for relief workers to help affected civilians. It is only possible if the two sides will agree to a durable ceasefire. The chief said that on his last report he described Yemen as a looming catastrophe and for now it loomed larger. He said that they are disappointed that UN's and their partners' efforts in alleviating the suffering and the descent turned into a catastrophe.
The Humanitarian chief said that the fighting killed almost 4,000 as of July 24. It is also reported that the war caused 19, 800 injuries since March 26. The chief will personally visit Yemen in the coming weeks. The Ambassador of the United Nations in Yemen said that the chief is welcome in Yemen on Aug. 9.
According to the UN, 80 percent of the approximately 26 million population of Yemen is in need of humanitarian aid.