The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Afrah al-Zouba made a phone call today, Monday, with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.
The phone called aimed to discuss the developments in the humanitarian situation in Yemen amid the escalation by the Houthi terrorist militias and ways to boost cooperation between the government and the ICRC.
Al-Zouba highlighted the implications of the blockade imposed by the Houthi militias on the city of Taiz, which has entered its twelfth year, and the situation of those kidnapped by the militias, explaining that the closure of roads and obstruction of food and medicine delivery exacerbates the suffering of residents.
She warned that the fuel shortage due to the siege threatens to halt vital services in the city’s hospitals and called on the Red Cross to facilitate urgent and regular access to fuel and medical supplies.
The Minister cited the continued attacks on health facilities, including the targeting of the al-Suqayya Health Center in Lahj governorate with a ballistic missile, which resulted in casualties, including members of the medical staff.
She also mentioned the Houthi militias' repeated attacks on the ambulances in Taiz, the latest one yesterday's attack targeted the ambulance in Saber al-Mawadim District, resulted in killing a wounded person and his father, hurting one more.
The Foreign Minister also talked about the UN employees and humanitarian workers who were kidnapped by the militia, highlighting the crime of killing Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shami, an employee at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Yemen, during his detention by the militias, after being abducted and forcibly disappeared for more than two years.
The President of the ICRC reaffirmed the Committee's commitment to neutrality and humanitarian work principles, and its dedication to continuing its activities and following up on the cases of detainees and forcibly disappeared individuals.
