Explosions Reported Near Save the Children-Supported Hospital in Hodeidah, as Port City Sees Fresh Violence

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Aug. 2, 2018)—At least one explosion went off Thursday evening in the vicinity of the main hospital in Hodeidah, Yemen, where Save the Children runs a diphtheria treatment center.

Save the Children staff, some of whom were near the area when the blasts occurred, reported chaos and captured videos of smoke rising up from the streets. Save the Children has yet to confirm reports that civilians have been killed and injured in the attack but is extremely concerned that the area may not be safe for civilians and that hospitals will not be able to cope with any large influx of wounded.

“A bomb exploded just outside the hospital, on the street. Then there was another explosion towards the back. I saw people running and bodies in the street,” said a Save the Children staff member in Hodeidah who witnessed the incident.

Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children’s Yemen Country Director, visited Al Thawrah Hospital only days ago. “This is the largest government hospital in Hodeidah and Save the Children runs a diphtheria center there where we work to save lives in one of the poorest and hardest-hit parts of Yemen,” said Kirolos. 

“We’re seriously concerned that the area is simply not safe for civilians and that people seeking help at the hospital may not be safe. Just a few days ago, there was an airstrike that hit a few hundred yards away – showing just how unstable and unsafe the situation there has become,” he continued.

“It is unacceptable that civilians are coming under attack and that people simply walking the streets are getting caught up in this kind of violence. We strongly condemn any attacks on civilians and call on all parties to the conflict to respect international human rights law. It is imperative that all the parties step up their efforts to strike a peace deal and find a durable solution that will restore peace and dignity to the people of Yemen who have suffered far too much already.”

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