Health Sector:
- The health situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate as a result of the on-going war and blockade on Yemen by the countries of the War Coalition led by the US, KSA and UAE, and its imposed arbitrary restrictions, by detaining different oil derivatives ships that support all service sectors, especially the health sector. As a result, hospitals and health centers are threatened with closure at any moment.
Decent Means of Livelihood
- The northern governorates have witnessed a stifling fuel crisis since last year, and it has intensified severely since the beginning of this year. This has caused the price of fuel to increase exponentially, leading to a rise in food and medicines prices. Consequently, a number of families have become unable to purchase many of the basic needs for survival, especially household gas.
- In its commentary, the World Food Program (WFP) confirmed the increasing prices in Yemen, which reached 200%. Notably, the program provides assistance to a number of families with an amount of 6,500 YR. for each, which is a small amount that is not sufficient to meet the needs of these families due to the high prices. WFP was supposed to raise the amounts given to families by 400% to cover their needs.
The Tragedies of Prisoners
- The countries of War Coalition against Yemen, led by the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, refused to enter into a comprehensive prisoner exchange agreement, and set obstacles on the way of implementing the UN-sponsored agreements regarding this humanitarian file. The United Nations and its organizations have been incapable to address this humanitarian issue once and for all or to submit proposals that would lead to a convergence of views, save the lives of thousands of prisoners, and reunite them with their families.
Cluster Bombs:
- While the world celebrates Earth Day, the Yemeni lands lack security due to the spread of various types of cluster bombs used by the War Coalition countries. From the beginning of war on Yemen until April 2021, the lands and farms of citizens remained threatened and unsafe as a result of the cluster bombs dropped by the warplanes of the War Coalition countries, led by the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, for more than six years. The National Salvation Government in Sana’a is unable to remove these internationally outlawed cluster bombs as the War Coalition countries have prevented technical devices and equipment from reaching the port of Hodeidah.
FSO SAFER Tanker:
- Yemen Petroleum Company (YPC), affiliated to the National Salvation Government in Sana’a, has warned of the possibility of an environmental and economic disaster, in case there is an oil spill from Safer Tanker, the tank’s load explodes, or even sinks, as the ship is eroding and damaged, due to the delay of its maintenance or repair process against weather, water and other factors. This has made it an environmental, economic time bomb and a potential disaster. Reports this year indicate that there is an oil spill from the tank, and water leaks into the ship’s engine room.
- The official authorities of the National Salvation Government assert that the failure to take prompt measures without delay to rescue the ship or unload it, will have severe consequences extending for decades, spoiling the environment of the Red Sea and decimating the health and livelihood of millions living in countries along its coasts. In fact, damage may reach up to the Suez Canal. The YPC indicates the emergence of potentially catastrophic consequences, if FSO Safer Tanker is not repaired and maintained, and the most prominent of these consequences are as follows:
- The death of more than 900 species of fish in the Red Sea, threatening the lives of millions of citizens who depend on fishing as a source of livelihood for them and their families.
- More than 155 islands will lose biodiversity, including Kamaran Island, which is rich in endangered mangroves.
- More than 300 species of corals will be damaged and will lead to the loss of micro-plankton and coralline algae.
- The death of more than 300 species of Yemeni coastal birds and migratory birds.
- Water, air and food will be polluted in many areas adjacent to the Red Sea.
- The explosion of FSO Safer Tanker or spill of its stocks will lead to more traffic jams in Bab al-Mandab Strait and will heavily impact trade-shipping routes in the Red Sea, many times worse than the consequences of the accident of the ship “Ever Given” aground.
- The explosion or collapse of FSO Safer Tanker will also lead to the closure of the port of Hodeidah, which is the gateway to 90% of the food and medicine supplies, which benefit over 85% of the population in the governorates controlled by the National Salvation Government in Sana’a.