UN envoy warns of humanitarian crisis

The UN envoy to Yemen warned Wednesday of a growing humanitarian crisis in the country, where 6.8 million people have been left without enough food during months of political turmoil that has allowed Al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula to gain ground. UN envoy Jamal Benomar said three million people are in need of immediate assistance and he urged international donors to help the Arab world’s poorest country. He said that, without adequate support, 500,000 children are likely to die from malnutrition or suffer lifelong consequences this year.

Benomar’s comments came as Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for a weekend assault on a military base in southern Yemen, which officials said left almost 200 soldiers dead.