UNHCR Yemen’s suffering intensifies with the continued closure of sea and air ports

Ibb News 25 Safar 1439 H corresponding to 14-11-2017

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern about the closure of Yemen’s land, sea and air ports.

UNHCR spokesman William Spindler said Tuesday that “the closure has prevented the entry of humanitarian and commercial supplies during the past week, as well as restricting the movement of aid workers”

“He told a news conference in Geneva

“With the disruption of the flow of trade supplies, commodity prices, including food and fuel, have risen sharply, resulting in increased suffering and pressure for the population. In Sana’a, for example, fuel prices were reported to have risen by 60% and the price of trucked water increased by 133%. As a result, our staff and staff of partner organizations increased the number of civilians seeking assistance. The situation has been particularly affected by displaced persons, refugees and asylum-seekers “

UNHCR has received reports that a number of IDPs who have been unable to afford the rise in living expenses since the closure of the border have begun to leave urban centers in Sana’a and return to other governorates, including those located on the front lines of the conflict

The closure affects the delivery of humanitarian assistance. UNHCR has not been able to deliver new emergency relief supplies to some 280,000 displaced people

Humanitarian workers have also been affected by the closure, some of whom remain outside Yemen unable to return and others do not have the fuel needed for their transportation

The Commission called for lifting the closure imposed on the Yemeni border without any delay. This closure exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and threatens millions of people struggling to survive

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