Irish newspaper: People in Yemen are starving to death

Irish Examiner newspaper confirmed in an article that the people in Yemen are starving to death; they are dying in hospitals, homes, and on the roadsides while fleeing to safety, due to the US-backed Saudi blockade.

The newspaper pointed out that many severely undernourished children who make it to the safety of the overcrowded Hodeidah Hospital on the Red Sea coast still die as their bodies are so weakened with starvation.

It added that: 400,000 Yemeni children are at risk of dying and 11m children need aid in the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, according to the director of the UN World Food Programme

The report noted that the UN estimates that 50% of healthcare facilities have shut down in a conflict that has displaced more than 3.6m people, over 80% of which are women and children.

The report added that all the crisis is due to the US-backed Saudi blockade as 14 tankers laden with vital humanitarian aid and fuel have been stranded for two months in the Red Sea off the Saudi coast.

Hundreds of lorries laden with aid are stuck on the road to the supply gateway of Hodeidah port, unable to progress due to lack of fuel.

It described the vista as appalling, especially that the country is on the verge of a catastrophic famine where 90% of its food is imported.

 It added: “No doubt the situation is complex but ultimately the Yemeni people are the suffering pawns in the war where humanitarian aid is used as a weapon of war.”

US President Biden’s efforts since his inauguration are welcome but if he is serious about stopping this war then more decisive action is needed.

The Saudi blockade must be lifted. All arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE should be suspended. A vast humanitarian aid relief effort should be accompanied by a ceasefire and a plan to hold peace talks.

E.M