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Crisis in Yemen

UN says humanitarian aid to Yemen should be routed via its channels

UNITED NATIONS, May 13. /TASS/. Humanitarian assistance sent to Yemen via the UN channels will ensure that this activity will not be politicized and will be carried out "in an impartial and neutral way," Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos has said.

Amos welcomed the beginning of the five-day humanitarian pause in the country that she said "should enable humanitarian agencies and their partners to step up the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need."

"Given the role of the United Nations in coordinating emergency relief activities in an impartial and neutral way, I request that humanitarian assistance to Yemen be routed through existing UN and international humanitarian organization channels. It is essential that humanitarian assistance is not politicized," she said.

She called on all the parties to the conflict to respect the "vital pause" in hostilities.

"This pause will provide a respite for civilians and allow the delivery of food, medical supplies and other essential items to people who have been trapped in conflict zones," Amos said.

On Tuesday, a pause began in the fighting between Houthi rebels and pro-government forces, which has killed hundreds of civilians and wounded more than 1,400 others since late March.

The five-day ceasefire was proposed by Saudi Arabia, which has been conducting airstrikes to assist the ousted Yemeni government, which is still internationally recognised.

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Crisis in Yemen

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