NEW YORK
The United Nations launched an urgent appeal Friday seeking $274 million for humanitarian aid to Yemen.
It says the money will provide aid for 7.5 million Yemenis - more than 30 percent of the population - who are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
As many as 12 million Yemenis are food insecure, and at least 150,000 have been displaced, according to the UN humanitarian affairs agency, OCHA.
“The devastating conflict in Yemen takes place against the backdrop of an existing humanitarian crisis that was already one of the largest and most complex in the world,” said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, humanitarian coordinator at OCHA.
“Thousands of families have now fled their homes as a result of the fighting and airstrikes. Ordinary families are struggling to access health care, water, food and fuel – basic requirements for their survival," he said.
The UN estimates more than 731 people have been killed in Yemen since March 19.
The country has been in turmoil since last September when Shiite Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa and have advanced to the southern port city of Aden, the stronghold of UN-backed President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi.
Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched an air campaign on March 25 in response to Hadi's appeals for military intervention against the Houthis, who are allegedly backed by Iran, a predominantly Shiite country.
“To scale up assistance, we urgently need additional resources,” Van Der Klaauw said. “I urge donors to act now to support the people of Yemen at this time of greatest need,” he added.
