16 June 2016 (UN News): The top United Nations relief official for Yemen has reported that more than 13 million Yemenis are in need of immediate life-saving assistance as a result of a bleak humanitarian situation in the country that continues to worsen.
3 million people have fled their homes
Mr. McGoldrick noted that food and nutrition, insecurity, and access to health care are among the most critical areas of need. He added that people are dying of preventable illnesses, while, overall, access to health-care services for 14.1 million people has been disrupted.
The conflict has also had significant impact on the education system, with 1,600 schools closed and 560,000 children out of school, he said.
Up to 30 April, the UN has directly assisted 3.6 million people this year with some form of humanitarian assistance in all 22 governorates. This includes assisting 3.6 million people with emergency food assistance, 3.5 million people with essential and life-saving health assistance, and 1.2 million people with direct water, sanitation and hygiene services.
The UN provided assistance to more than 8 million people in 2015, and is aiming to support 13.6 million people in 2016, Mr. McGoldrick said.
The humanitarian coordinator emphasized that some areas are difficult to reach for security reasons.
