Yemen: Save the Children Statement on Reported Agreement for Hodeidah Ceasefire, Sana'a Airport Reopening

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Dec. 13, 2018)—Following news reports that the warring parties in Yemen have agreed to a ceasefire in Hodeidah and that the Sana’a airport will reopen, Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children’s Yemen Country Director, said:

“The world is watching. The warring parties must implement the steps agreed in Sweden, in line with international humanitarian law. A ceasefire in Hodeidah, and the reopening of Sana’a airport to domestic flights, are important first steps to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Yemen.

“This is literally a matter of life and death, in a country where some 85,000 children are already believed to have died from extreme hunger and disease, from entirely preventable causes. We must use this window of opportunity to achieve a sustainable and nationwide ceasefire, to get more lifesaving aid and commercial goods into and throughout the country and reach the children and families who need it most.

“Only an end to the war can bring lasting relief to Yemeni people but until then, the international community must continue to put pressure on all sides to urgently address the humanitarian crisis to avoid a full-blown famine. That means easing restrictions on humanitarian and commercial imports, stabilizing the collapsing economy and stopping the fighting so no more lives are lost. “At Friday’s crucial meeting in New York, the UN Security Council must demand that all sides implement the steps agreed to in Sweden.”

“This is the best chance we’ve had in more than four years to end this brutal war and ensure a brighter future for Yemen’s children, tens of thousands of whom have already died because of it.”

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