Sanaa: In wake of intense conflict between Shiite Houthi rebels and pro-Hadi forces, that have resulted in “dire humanitarian situation” across the country, the Red Cross will on Monday send two emergency aid flights to Yemen.
According to the BBC, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is set to send two emergency aid flights into Yemen's capital, Sanaa – one cargo flight containing medical supplies and other passenger plane carrying aid workers.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were allowed to send aid planes two days after the aid agency called for “immediate humanitarian pause” citing dire humanitarian situation there in wake of escalating conflict.
The Red Cross wanted all air, land and sea routes to be opened without delay for at least 24 hours to enable help to reach people cut off after more than a week of intense air strikes and fierce ground fighting nationwide.
"We urgently need an immediate halt to the fighting, to allow families in the worst affected areas, such as Aden, to venture out to get food and water, or to seek medical care," said Robert Mardini, head of the ICRC's operations in the Near and Middle East.
We call for urgent 24-hour pause in all fighting #Yemen. Aid must get in fast http://t.co/p6BTyFgFdh
— ICRC (@ICRC) April 4, 2015
There is acute shortage of water, and dead bodies are seen lying on streets.
According to the UN, over 500 people have been killed and more than 1000 injured in violence in Yemen since 19 March.
Houthi's advance continues despite air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition, which aims to weaken the Iranian-allied Houthis, who have overrun much of the country and forced Yemen's current president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, to flee abroad.
