UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Severe access restrictions in Yemen's third-largest city of Taiz have pushed health needs to critical levels amid shortages of medicine, fuel and water, UN humanitarians said Monday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said continued fighting has also led to a buildup of uncollected waste, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Humanitarian partners have delivered 30 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies to four health facilities in Taiz City to keep essential services running.
OCHA said that of the more than 280,000 people displaced across the country since the outbreak of the latest round of hostilities on Aug. 1, almost half of them fled Taiz governorate.
The office said that cholera cases continue to be reported across Yemen. Authorities reported 14 cases, including one death, in Marib City.
OCHA said the United Nations and its partners have reached more than 200,000 people with emergency aid since August. In addition, 24 partners have provided health care to more than 77,000 displaced people, emergency water and sanitation assistance to over 72,000 people, and emergency cash to nearly 125,000 people to allow them to meet their most urgent needs.
The office said that despite the conflict, desperate families continue to arrive in Yemen. Humanitarians have assisted more than 20,000 migrants and nearly 1,500 refugees and asylum-seekers since August.
Fear of arrest or detention is driving migrants and refugees seeking safety onto more remote and riskier routes with fewer services.
OCHA reiterated its call for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access so that life-saving assistance can reach everyone who needs it. ■
