UN aid chief Mark Lowcock appealed Thursday (November 29th) for a halt to fighting in Yemen amid intense diplomacy to end a war that has pushed millions to the brink of famine, AFP reported.
"I would like to see a cessation of hostilities, especially around the key infrastructure, especially around al-Hodeidah," Lowcock told reporters after arriving in Sanaa.
UN agencies say 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation and the closure of the al-Hodeidah port would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis gripping the impoverished country.
"I have come because I am very concerned about the humanitarian situation here, which has deteriorated since I was here last," Lowcock said.
"I would like to see the environment in which the aid system operates, made easier for the aid agencies."
"I would like to see stronger economic support, more resources injected into the economy, salaries paid, more foreign exchange so that ordinary people have more money to buy the essentials to survive," he added.
Lowcock will spend three days in Yemen to see first-hand the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.
