Yemen on brink of ‘major catastrophe’: UN aid chief

ADEN: UN chief Mark Lowcock warned on Saturday that Yemen was “on the brink of a major catastrophe”, as the world body pushes for peace talks in the impoverished and war-wracked country.

His comments came after renewed deadly clashes between Ansar Allah and pro-government forces in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, vital for the flow of humanitarian aid.

“Yemen is on the brink of a major catastrophe,” Lowcock said, as he wrapped up a visit to the country. He said conditions had deteriorated alarmingly since his last visit in October 2017 to Yemen, which the United Nations has termed the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

“In Aden, I met emaciated children so malnourished they could barely open their eyes,” Lowcock said in a statement.

“Humanitarian assistance helps many of these children aid recover. But I also heard heartbreaking stories of children relapsing again and again because their families simply can’t afford food or proper medical care,” he said. Lowcock reiterated the UN’S readiness to play a role to ensure that the Hodeida port, a key entry point for imports and aid, can remain open.

Lowcock said it was “not too late” to pull back Yemen from the brink but warned that more resources were needed.

UN agencies say that 14 million people are at risk of starvation in Yemen.