Commenting on the latest development on the Port of Hodeidah, UN informed that it remains open and operational. However, the World Food Program said that 50% of the shipment of food to Yemen has been cut, because many ships are refusing to dock in Hodeidah port due to the fighting.
As Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary‑General, noted shipping companies are reluctant to dock at Hodeidah.
Obviously, shipping companies have commercial interests. They see the insecurity in the port. It doesn’t lend itself to increased activity
In fact, over the last two weeks, the activities have been cut by half. Namely, 50% of the shipment of food to Yemen has been cut, due to many ships are refusing to go to Yemen to dock in Hodeidah port because of the escalating fights.
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Should this situation continues, the impact will be significant for food distribution. Another pressing issue is the fact that the prices are increasing, while at the same time there is lack of cash available in the economy.
This, as if we needed another reminder, is why we need a halt in the fighting
Mr. Dujarric stated.
In the most recent update for the fighting in Yemen, UAE-backed Yemeni forces have gained more territory, which now puts them about five miles away from the Port.
Reporting on the situation in Yemen, Medecins Sans Frontieres noted that there are heavy ground fighting, shelling and naval bombardment in Hodeidah since the beginning of the month.
Taking into consideration the extremely difficult situation in the country, United Nations aid agencies pleaded for the Yemeni port of Hodeidah to remain open, in order to enable the delivery of life-saving goods.
Yemen is hit by humanitarian crisis as 8.3 million people are entirely dependent on external food aid and 400,000 children suffer from acute malnutrition, a condition that can be proven fatal for their life.