ICRC Calls for Securing Relief Work In Taiz

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is seriously concerned about an increase in fighting in the city of Taiz, the indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, and the destroying of the essential infrastructure.

“We call on the parties on the ground in Taiz to allow the safe passage of ambulances, medical workers and aid workers so that lives can be saved and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance can be made possible,” said the head of the ICRC in Taiz, Olivier Chassot.

Chassot pointed out that health situation in the governorate is particularly dire and the handful of hospitals still functioning are having to deal with large numbers of wounded people as well as severe shortage of supplies, “the ICRC has had serious difficulties in delivering lifesaving medical and surgical supplies to a number of hospitals in Taiz”.

In the ICRC statement, the head of the ICRC in Yemen, Kedir Awol Omar said that the international humanitarian law, parties to a conflict must ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, medical facilities to the safe passage to the sick and wounded must be allowed.