Drinking water systems under repeated and continuous attack in Yemen

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore

SANA’A/NEW YORK, 1 August 2018 - “Attacks against civilian facilities and services are unacceptable, inhumane and in breach of the basic laws of war.

“Ongoing violence and repeated attacks on lifesaving civilian infrastructure in Hodeida are a direct threat to the survival of hundreds of thousands of children and their families.

“Yet the past few days have seen an escalation in the targeting of systems and facilities that are essential to sustaining the lives of children and families.

“Two days ago, we received reports that a UNICEF-supported warehouse containing humanitarian provisions, including hygiene and water-related supplies, was hit by two airstrikes. On 28 July, a UNICEF-supported sanitation centre in the Zabid District came under attack, damaging the facility’s fuel tank. On 27 July, the water station in al-Mina District, which provides Hodeida with most of its water, was hit.

“Yemen is already facing a severe shortage of drinking water, which is directly linked to outbreaks of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea. Attacks on water infrastructure jeopardize efforts to prevent another outbreak of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea in Yemen.

 “We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

 “The war in Yemen has no winners. It is robbing Yemeni children of their futures.”

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Notes to Editors

• Since the escalation of the conflict in Hodeida in late May, humanitarian agencies have been on the ground to deliver much needed humanitarian assistance.
• UNICEF and partners were able to collectively deliver, clean water, health and nutrition supplies to hundreds of thousands of children impacted by the conflict in Yemen including in Hodeida.
• Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Eleven million children, are in need of protection and humanitarian assistance.