Mercy Corps Strongly Condemns Attacks on Hodeidah

Attacks on the port city killed at least 55 and disrupt emergency aid deliveries

SANA’A, Yemen — The global organization Mercy Corps strongly condemns last night’s attacks in Hodeidah that hit a fish market and the entrance to a local hospital. These incidents make it increasingly dangerous and difficult to help civilians caught in Yemen’s war.

“Last night’s attacks show just how dangerous it is for the people of Yemen,” says Abdikadir Mohamed, Mercy Corps Country Director in Yemen. “And since many people have fled their homes because of the fighting, it’s riskier than ever for them. They have nowhere to go; there are no safe areas.”

Mercy Corps works in Hodeidah governorate assisting displaced people with food, water and sanitation. The United Nations estimates that 450,000 people have fled their homes in and around the city of Hodeidah. The Saudi-led coalition’s offensive there has already disrupted the shipment of life-saving humanitarian supplies that come through the city’s Red Sea port.

“Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world right now, according to the UN,” says Mohamed. “We are struggling to keep up with needs of civilians, but just when you think the situation cannot get worse, events like this show that it can.”

Since 2010, Mercy Corps has been helping people in Yemen meet their urgent needs and build better lives. It has been responding by assisting displaced people, restoring basic water and sanitation in conflict-affected areas, and helping stop the spread of cholera.

Mercy Corps urges the UN Security Council to condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation, and asks all parties in the conflict to allow humanitarian organisations to be able to work safely, respect international law and ensure protection of civilians from harm.

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