advertisement

Charity says Yemenis face 'double threat' of cold, hunger

CAIRO (AP) - More than half a million displaced people in war-torn Yemen face the "double threat" of famine and freezing temperatures as winter sets in, an aid group said Wednesday.

Oxfam said some 530,000 displaced people are in mountainous areas, many living in makeshift shelters with no insulation or weatherproofing.

"Freezing temperatures could be the final straw for families already struggling to survive desperate hunger," said Muhsin Siddiquey, Oxfam's Yemen director.

Yemen's government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, has been at war with the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels since 2015. U.N. officials say the war has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with millions suffering from severe hunger.

Peace talks earlier this month brought about a cease-fire in the port city of Hodeida but have yet to address the wider conflict.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.