Yemen: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement condemns attack on ambulance in Taiz

28 July 2015

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack on a Yemeni Red Crescent Society (YRCS) ambulance in the city of Taiz on Thursday 23 July, which killed two people.

The ambulance, which was clearly marked with the YRCS emblem, was transporting an injured patient with a companion and two YRCS volunteers across a front line when it came under fire. The bullets penetrated the ambulance, resulting in the immediate death of the patient and his companion.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has no information at present on who fired the shots or their motive.

It is extremely worrying that the past couple of months have seen an increasing number of attacks against health-care workers and relief personnel in the country.

Four YRCS volunteers have lost their lives in the line of duty since March 2015.

There have been reports of numerous attacks against YRCS property, including cars and premises clearly displaying its emblem. Looting and arson attacks on the YRCS compound in Taiz, on 24 June and 1 July are the latest such incidents.

The Yemeni Red Crescent Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) together call for the immediate protection of volunteers from YRCS and all other personnel affiliated with the Movement.

It is also absolutely essential that all sides facilitate the work of YRCS volunteers, and of all other humanitarian workers, by respecting the emblems displayed on their premises, vehicles and clothing. Without this respect for these emblems – including those of the Movement – saving lives and offering much-needed assistance for millions of Yemenis will become close to impossible.

For further information, please contact:

Mohammad Ghazi, YRCS Sana'a, tel: +967  770807046
Shahin Ammane, ICRC Sana'a, tel: +967 737503716
Alexis Heeb, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 218 76 10, Twitter: @AHeebICRC
Benoit Carpentier, International Federation, Geneva, tel: +41 79 2132413, Twitter: @BenoistC