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“The Houthis’ closure of the only supply route connecting Taiz to Aden puts civilians at grave risk, hinders humanitarian aid and cuts off vital supplies,” the Houthis said. UN Human Rights Chair Turkish Volker.
In an appeal to Houthi fighters who he said had surrounded Taiz City for immediate assistance, the High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that 32 civilians had been confirmed dead across the region, including 14 children and nine women. He warned of a significant increase in the risk of death and injury as fighting gets closer to densely populated areas of the city.
The development follows a resumption of clashes last month between Houthi fighters – officially known as Ansar Allah – and the internationally recognized government based in Aden, ending the calm brought about by a 2022 ceasefire.
The situation in Taiz is particularly worrying as about half of those recently forced to flee their homes due to violence have sought refuge there.
‘Sea of worries’
“Taiz is of course the number one concern right now amidst a sea of worries,” said Akhil Iyer, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Yemen.
“Many people have fled repeatedly. They arrive in overcrowded camps or communities with little or no food. Clean water is almost non-existent when they arrive. They had literally arrived with only the clothes on their backs, and they had almost nothing left to support themselves.”
According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), wheat flour stocks in the affected areas of Taiz are almost depleted.
“This is a worrying development in a province that is already facing the highest level of food insecurity in Yemen,” with 10 of the 16 districts already classified at emergency level, Iyer stressed.
Briefing journalists from Aden, UNICEF officials described the worsening situation in conflict-affected areas, where “garbage is piling up – especially in the city of Taiz – as sanitation services have stopped.”
Ongoing hostilities have made it difficult and dangerous for humanitarian agencies to reach vulnerable communities and deliver fuel and other necessities.
health emergency
The impact could be a more acute health emergency in a country already facing outbreaks of cholera and measles, as well as suspected cases of diphtheria and dengue fever.
“We are very concerned about the water and sanitation situation in Taiz because diesel fuel is essential for running pump stations in and around the city. Supply is threatened by lack of access and blockage of supply routes, especially from Aden to Taiz city,” explained Iyer.
He noted that although UNICEF had provided enough ready-to-use therapeutic food before the conflict escalated early last month, supplies cannot be distributed to health facilities because “all routes are closed”.
“We call on all parties to protect children and civilians, safeguard water systems and health facilities, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes providing access to humanitarian actors.”
Oxygen is running out
World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman Tarik Jasarevic reported that 12 hospitals in Taiz had about four days’ worth of fuel left. The oxygen cylinders they need are in “daily shortage”, while 115 of 127 essential medicines have enough supply for about a week or less, he said.
Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), stressed that access problems prevent aid teams from reaching those most in need, although protection activities continue “where access allows”.
“Don’t forget that there are some 65,000 refugees and asylum seekers who are also in dire need of assistance; most come from Somalia and Ethiopiahe added.
