Roundup: Some 8.6 million people in urgent need of medical help in Yemen: UN agency

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday warned that some 8.6 million people are in urgent need of medical assistance in Yemen.

In a statement issued here, WHO's Director-General Margaret Chan said the health and lives of millions of people are at risk, and health facilities, staff and patients are under attack in widespread violations of international humanitarian law.

"WHO was able to dispatch almost 48 tonnes of medicine into the country during the five-day ceasefire earlier this month, serving some 400,000 people," Chan said. "This is vastly insufficient -- and people continue to suffer not only from war-related injuries, but from inability to get basic treatment for the most common health conditions, or get obstetric care during childbirth."

Saudi-led coalition air strikes targeting Shia rebels have resumed in the southern port city of Aden after the end of a five- day humanitarian ceasefire, reports said. The ceasefire expired at 11:00 p.m. on May 17 local time, and coalition air strikes hit rebel positions and tanks in several neighborhoods of Aden,

Since late March, Saudi Arabia has led air strikes against the Houthis and allied military units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The air campaign is aimed at weakening the Houthis and restoring Hadi, who fled the country in March in the face of a rebel advance.

The conflict in Yemen has killed more than 1,400 people -- many of them civilians -- since March 19, according to the UN. The Middle East country of some 25 million people has endured shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity as a result of a Saudi-led blockade.

Humanitarian organizations had been scrambling to distribute aid before the end of the truce. That includes an Iranian cargo ship carrying humanitarian aid to Yemen.

Yemen has mired in political gridlock since 2011 when mass protests forced former President Ali Abdullash Saleh to step down.

The three-year reconciliation talks failed to resolve the crisis but create huge power vacuum that could benefit the powerful al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and other extremist groups.

Yemen is the base of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a powerful offshoot of the jihadist militant group that has carried out similar suicide attacks on Houthi supporters.

However, the terrorist Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIL or ISIS, is also gaining ground in the country.

Chan noted that as Yemen enters its 10th week of conflict, "it is innocent civilians that pay the highest price" and reported that nearly 2,000 people have been killed and 8,000 injured so far. "

More and more lives are lost every day, she said, "not just due to the violence, but as a health system that has been seriously damaged barely copes with the extraordinary needs posed by the unrelenting violent conflict and can no longer provide them with the health services they need to stay alive," adding "The health and lives of millions of people are at risk."

Hospitals are closing down their emergency operations rooms and intensive care units due to shortages in staff and fuel for generators; medicines for diabetes, hypertension and cancer are no longer available; the national tuberculosis program has shut down in some areas; and infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are spreading, according to WHO.

"Throughout the conflict, there have been widespread violations of international humanitarian law and Geneva conventions for the protection of health facilities, staff and patients," she said. " Health infrastructure continues to be hit, with attacks reported on hospitals and ambulances, a medical warehouse, an oxygen factory, and a blood transfusion centre. Some health care workers were killed trying to save lives and more injured."

"This unnecessary loss of innocent lives cannot go on," she warned. "The health system must be allowed to function unimpeded by the insecurity."

"All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, health facilities and health staff during conflict and to permit the supply of vital humanitarian aid, such as medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to areas where it is needed most, and ensure the right to urgently-needed lifesaving health care," she added. Endite