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Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, on behalf of the United Nations and INGO community in Yemen, Sana'a [EN/AR]

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Yemen
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OCHA
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Publication date

The humanitarian community in Yemen is shocked and outraged by today’s airstrikes which hit the community hall of Al-Sala Alkubra where thousands of mourners were taking part in a funeral ceremony. Initial reports from health officials in Sana’a indicate that over 140 people were killed and over 525 injured.

The Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, unequivocally condemns the horrific attack that took place in Sana'a today. He sends heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and wishes swift recovery of the injured.

The Yemeni first responders mobilized quickly to the scene, in difficult circumstances, to attend to those killed and injured in this senseless act. The international humanitarian community immediately responded, providing trauma kits, blood bags and medical supplies, and deploying medical staff to hospitals throughout Sana'a.

The Humanitarian Coordinator reminds all parties to the conflict that under international humanitarian law, they are obliged to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures. He calls for an immediate investigation into this incident.

The international community must exert pressure and influence on all parties to the conflict to ensure civilians are protected.

This violence against civilians in Yemen must stop immediately.

Sana'a, 8 October 2016

For further information, please contact:
George Khoury, Head of OCHA Yemen, khouryg@un.org, Tel +967 712 222 207
Zaid Al Alayaa, Information Officer OCHA Yemen, al-alayaa@un.org, Tel. +967 2222 835
Federica D' Andreagiovanni, Head of Communication, dandreagiovannif@un.org, Tel. +962 79 687 082
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.