Yemen: Tragic death of yet another Red Crescent aid worker

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is deeply saddened by the death of Jameela Naji Burut, a volunteer with the Yemen Red Crescent Society, who was killed in an explosion on 29 May in the north-western city of Hajjah.

Ms Burut joined the Hajjah branch of the Yemeni Red Crescent in 2000, and specialized in vocational training. She was killed while helping wounded civilians during an attack in the area.

Four Yemeni Red Crescent aid workers have lost their lives since April 2015. All of them died while carrying out their humanitarian duties.

Ms Burut's death is the latest reminder of the difficulties and dangers that the people of Yemen have been coping with for over two months. The situation, already dire, is growing worse. Staff and volunteers of the Yemeni Red Crescent risk their lives every day to help communities throughout Yemen.

The Movement expresses its heartfelt sympathy to Ms Burut's family and reiterates its solidarity with the Yemeni Red Crescent. It also calls for all aid workers in Yemen, including volunteers, to be respected and protected as required by law, so that they can safely reach everyone in need.

For further information, please contact:
Adnan Hizam, ICRC Sana'a, tel: +967 73 372 1659
Soraya Dali Balta, IFRC Beirut, tel: +961 5 428 419 or +961 79 300439.
Benoit Matsha-Carpentier, IFRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 46 96 or +41 79 213 24 13