First aid delivered to Yemen's besieged third biggest city
First aid delivered to Yemen's besieged third biggest city
For the first time since the start of the 2015 Yemen war, hospitals in besieged Taiz received their first aid supplies.
2 min read
Taiz has been obliterated by fighting [Anadolu]
The first aid has arrived to the besieged Yemeni city of Taiz since the start of the 2015 conflict, as warring parties allow a slight easing of the devastating siege which has led to huge suffering for civilians.
The UN delivered eight tonnes of medication to hospitals in the third largest city under siege in Yemen's war.
UN negotiated access by direct route to Taiz, crossing Yemen's frontline to distribute the vital medical supplies, the World Health Organisation said in a statement.
"The truck arrived in Taiz City yesterday. The medicines have been distributed to hospitals today," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told AFP.
More than 350,000 people are in need of urgent medical aid in Taiz, where pro-government forces are fighting back a rebel assault, the Geneva-based agency said.
Jasarevic added that previously the UN had only been able to get some medical supplies to Taiz via smaller, side roads in the war-ravaged country.
Yemen this month marks two years since a Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in support of government troops in the conflict.
UN mediation efforts and seven ceasefire accords have failed to end the war, which has left more than 10,000 dead and tens thousands injured.
The US has also increased its military intervention against al-Qaeda militants in Yemen's south, with over 30 drone strikes in two days.
More In News
