‘Catastrophe’ in Yemen

The humanitarian situation in Yemen is a ‘‘catastrophe’’ and cholera cases there could reach a million by yearend, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said yesterday.

Alexandre Faite, head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen, said the warring sides were using disproportionate force, causing ‘‘very excessive’’ civilian casualties. He called on them to allow Sanaa airport to open to commercial flights for aid supplies.

Faite said there had been 750,000 suspected cases of cholera to date, with 2119 deaths, and there could be up to one million cases by December. — Reuters