Islamic Relief UK is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of military action in Yemen, around Hodeida, after a vessel used by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) was attacked near the port.
Any attack on the port will make an already dire humanitarian situation worse, cutting off a vital aid delivery route for more than 22 million people who have been left in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Islamic Relief UK Director, Imran Madden, says:
“Recent reports of escalating military activity around the port of Hodeida are deeply concerning. We know that any disruption to the port will have a direct impact on the lives of people we support. It’s imperative that all parties to the conflict work to find a peaceful solution.”
Our team in Yemen is working in Hodeida under the umbrella of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Whilst we hope that no attack will occur, we are engaged in preparatory activity in the event that we need to support civilians who could be displaced by an escalation in the conflict.
We call on all parties to the conflict to exercise restraint, especially in this holy month of Ramadan, so that aid can reach men, women and children who are on the brink of famine. We remind all parties to the conflict that protection of civilians must be upheld as one the basic principles of international humanitarian law.