Yemen airstrikes target main food supply route to Sanaa

Efforts to get food, fuel and other essentials to people in central Yemen have been severely hampered by the destruction of the main bridge on the 250 kilometer road from the port city of Hodeidah to the capital Sanaa. The bridge was bombed on Thursday night by the Saudi-led coalition following the breakdown of peace talks in Kuwait last week.

Sajjad Mohammad Sajid, Oxfam Yemen Country Director, said: “This road is the main supply route for Sanaa as it conveys 90% of WFP food coming from Hodeidah to the capital. Its destruction threatens to leave many more people unable to feed themselves, worsening an already catastrophic situation in the country.”

Yemen is highly dependent on food imports, which represent around 90% of its food requirements. Over 14 million people, half the population, are suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition, with UNICEF reporting that there are 300,000 children under 5 with severe acute malnutrition.