On a recent visit to Yemen, the WHO chief, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons, narrowly survived a life-threatening ambush at the Sanaa International Airport. The attack put the entire humanitarian community and global health initiatives in the nation in grave jeopardy.
United Nations officials expressed deep concern regarding the gunfight when the WHO chief’s delegation, along with staff from multiple aid organizations, came under fire as they passed through the airport. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The attack speaks to the tumultuous violence that remains prevalent in Yemen, a country that has been engulfed by civil war since 2014. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands and has left millions in dire need of humanitarian assistance. As the statement issued by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, notes, “what happened at Sanaa International Airport threatens the lives of the entire humanitarian community and undermines the country’s fragile chances of recovery.”
Since the beginning of the Yemen conflict, both airstrikes and ground fighting have caused immense suffering to the Yemeni civilians. New reports show a growing number of attacks and threats directed toward international relief workers, reminding us of the volatile security situation in the country and the continuation of the suffering.
Throughout the past few years, around 80 attacks on medical facilities and personnel in Yemen had been recorded, casting a spotlight on the ongoing hostilities that clog hospitals and clinics’ emergency rooms. The WHO chief’s near-death experience joins the long list of challenges that the Yemeni people already face.
The United Nations has urgently called for a de-escalation of hostilities in Yemen with an emphasis on civilian safety. It is imperative to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely operate as they continue to work for the welfare of Yemen’s children, women, and men currently fighting for their survival in this devastating conflict.
