A HUMANITARIAN aid and relief charity founded by the king of Saudi Arabia has launched a comprehensive plan to protect Yemen’s civilians from heavy bombardment – by a coalition led by his own forces.
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) circulated a statement promising to deliver food, power and supplies yesterday as the offensive on key port city Hodeidah continued.
Around two thirds of the population – which is ravaged by preventable illness and on the verge of mass-starvation – rely on imports of lifeline goods and mass casualties are feared.
With Emerati fighters heading the offensive, Red Crescent of UAE has also pledged relief efforts.
HOW LONG HAS THE FIGHTING BEEN RAGING?
THE war between Yemen’s Houthis and the Saudi-led international coalition aimed at reinstating the elected government began in 2015, the same year KSrelief was formed.
The coalition denies allegations of war crimes after Amnesty International and others accused them of deliberately targeting civilian areas.
Weddings, schools, hospitals and even funerals have also been hit.
The offensive in Houthi-controlled Hodeidah is expected to become one of the biggest of the war.
Around 20 air strikes were carried out on Wednesday in what is a densely populated area.
Yesterday KSreflief and UAE Red Crescent said they would aid civilians.
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
ANNOUNCED at a news conference in Riyadh, the initiative “aims to safeguard and intensify the flow of humanitarian aid into the port of Hodeidah”.
Before the war 90% of food was imported to Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the world. With its economy in tatters and infrastructure crippled, thousands now lack the ability to properly feed and care for their families.
Aid is vital, but images of seriously underweight children prove there is not enough to go round, and many are beyond reliable help.
Based in two of the wealthiest nations, the Saudi and UAE organisations have pledged to establish a shipping lane from their ports to Hodeidah to allow deliveries of food, medical and oil supplies.
Food distribution is also promised, as are provisions of equipment, medical items and – importantly – experienced staff for hospitals.
Economic support to aid local trade is also planned.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
KSRELIEF supervisor general Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said: “We are committed to doing everything possible to preserve the safety of those in and around the port of Hodeidah. KSrelief is working around the clock, coordinating with partner agencies on the ground in the province to ensure that aid continues to flow freely and efficiently.
“We are taking all measures possible to intensify the supply of humanitarian provisions to the people of Yemen and will continue to do all we can to make sure help reaches those who need it.”
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND?
COALITION troops took control of Nakhila, a town south of Hodeida yesterday as gunfire and air strikes continued.
The assault is part of an operation named Golden Victory and Yemeni security officials claimed 2000 troops who crossed the Red Sea from an Emirati naval base in nearby Eritrea were awaiting orders to move in from the west in the event that Hodeidah’s port is secured by government forces.
In a statement, the exiled government said it had “exhausted all peaceful and political means to remove the Houthi militia” from the area.
It went on: “Liberation of the port of Hodeidah is a milestone in our struggle to regain Yemen from the militias.”
Fatalities have so far been reported on both Houthi and coalition sides, with four Emerati soldiers said to have been “martyred”.
The United Nations and some other aid groups ordered their international staff to leave Hodeidah before the assault began.
However, Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children’s Yemen country director, said an estimated 300,000 youngsters are at risk.
He said: “The battle for Hodeidah will almost certainly result in a huge loss of civilian life and damage to vital infrastructure. Save the Children has consistently called for a diplomatic rather than military solution to this brutal conflict, now in its fourth year, and we feel despair for the children of Hodeidah who didn’t ask for this war.
“Since 2015 the Saudi and Emirati-led Coalition has bombed schools and hospitals and failed to protect civilians.
“Britain must continue to urge the UAE and Saudi Arabia to stop the assault,” he added.
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