UN: Nearly 21 million Yemenis in need of assistance

Abdullatif Al-Washali
Press TV, Sana'a

A recent report by the United Nations Population Fund suggests that 20.7 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance, while over a million pregnant and breastfeeding women are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition throughout 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with torrential rain and a currency collapse, has also contributed to the deterioration of the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Yemen, the report said.

For instance, by the end of June 2021, nearly 7,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 1,300 associated deaths had been reported amid concerns that the real number of infections were being under-reported.

Earlier, the United Nations reported that it had only received half of what was required for the humanitarian response plan of 2021 which was estimated at 3.85 million dollars, despite donors stepping up their support compared to 2020.

Observers say Yemen will continue to face a devastating humanitarian situation that risks turning into famine if the international community does not act urgently. They say the only solution is to pressure Saudi Arabia to lift the siege imposed on millions of Yemenis.

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