The Rasd Organization for Rights and Freedoms warned on Sunday of the worsening humanitarian and health situation in the city of Taiz, emphasizing that the continued siege imposed on the city and the closure of supply routes threaten the lives of thousands of patients, amid shortages of fuel, medicines, medical supplies, and water.
The Yemeni news agency Saba quoted the organization as saying that approximately 1,110 patients with kidney failure face the risk of shortage of dialysis supplies, given the need for approximately 120 dialysis sessions daily. It pointed out that the repercussions of fuel and medical supply shortages also threaten 192 patients in intensive care units and 154 children in incubators.
It added that 98 health facilities were operating partially or were out of service, according to an update issued by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on October 11. Meanwhile, 42 health facilities face acute shortages of medical supplies and oxygen, amid fears that services will stop or be reduced in 12 hospitals and health centers due to the fuel crisis.
Regarding the humanitarian situation, the organization pointed out that World Food Programme aid failed to reach approximately 600,000 people in the city, out of approximately 800,000 people in Yemen affected by the interruption of humanitarian access. The organization confirmed that the continuation of the siege and closure of supply routes exacerbate the suffering of the population, threaten food security, and hinder patients' access to treatment services, amid the declining capacity of health facilities to provide their basic services.
It warned that water scarcity and the accumulation of waste in streets and residential neighborhoods increase health and environmental risks and raise the likelihood of the spread of diseases, including acute diarrhea, dengue fever, and malaria, as well as skin and respiratory diseases. It noted that acute shortages of fuel, medicines, and medical supplies threaten the continuity of emergency services, dialysis, cancer treatment, and newborn care, thereby multiplying risks for patients and the most vulnerable groups.
The organization highlighted that it documented the killing and injury of 51 civilians, including women and children, in attacks by the Houthi militia on residential neighborhoods and villages in Taiz Governorate between the 14th and 20th of the current month, on October 22. It called for international action to protect civilians.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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