U.N. envoy: Yemen civilians need ‘urgent’ end to fuel shortages

United Nations envoy to Yemen asked Monday for an end to the fighting and an “urgent” solution for fuel shortages in Houthi-controlled areas.

The shortages have led to high fuel costs, long lines at gas stations and inflated costs for water, transport and other goods, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

“Fuel shortages have devastating widespread humanitarian consequences for the civilian population,” Griffiths added. “Life in Yemen is unforgiving enough without forcing Yemenis to struggle even harder for their everyday needs.”

The United Nations considers Yemen’s humanitarian crisis the worst anywhere in the world. Six years of conflict have led to disease, economic collapse and left roughly 80% of Yemenis in need of some form of humanitarian assistance.