Yemen: ICRC calls for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Dammaj
01-11-2013 News Release 13/185
Sana'a/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is extremely concerned about reports of civilian casualties following the escalation of the fighting in Dammaj, in northern Yemen. The ICRC calls upon all parties to observe an immediate ceasefire. This will enable the wounded to be evacuated without delay and much-needed medical assistance to be delivered.
"As soon as the fighting broke out, we contacted all the parties involved and requested access to provide medical care and evacuate the wounded," said Cedric Schweizer, head of the ICRC delegation in Sana'a. "However, since last week, the ongoing clashes have been preventing us reaching people who urgently need our help. Every minute we lose waiting to get into Dammaj and the surrounding area is a potential life lost. We are calling for an immediate and solid ceasefire, which would allow our colleagues to evacuate the wounded and deliver life-saving care."
The ICRC, which has a long-standing presence in Yemen since 1962, calls on everyone involved in the violence to show respect for human life and the physical integrity and dignity of all. The wounded must get the medical care they need and health-care facilities must be spared and protected.
For further information, please contact:
Marie Claire Feghali, ICRC Sana'a (in Arabic, English and French), tel: + 967 73 607 19 67
Adnan Hizam, ICRC Sana'a (in Arabic), tel: + 967 733 721 659
Dibeh Fakhr, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 37 23 or +41 79 447 37 26