Yemen is currently enduring violent clashes between several armed groups, including the Houthi rebels, and forces loyal to the president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who was forced to flee the country amid hostilities.
“I repeat my call for a humanitarian pause, to be observed by all parties, to allow civilians to escape conflict areas and access basic services, and to enable humanitarian agencies to provide life-saving assistance,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Johannes Van Der Klaauw said.
Klaauw stressed that violence towards civilians and aid workers, and attacks on hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, must stop immediately and urged the parties to the conflict to protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Airstrikes continued into May, despite Riyadh's announcement last month that the military phase of its operation was over and that the coalition would focus on counterterrorism and humanitarian efforts.
On Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir pledged to uphold a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into the country.
According to UN estimates, over 1,200 people have been killed, while 300,000 have fled their homes in Yemen in the past six weeks, amid ongoing ground fighting, aerial bombardments and sniper attacks on civilians.
