More than 21.1 million people, over 80 percent of Yemen's population, are in need of aid. (Photo: Reuters)
(VOVworld) - The United Nations on Wednesday declared Yemen a level-3 humanitarian emergency, the highest on its scale, to step up urgently-needed international aid for the war-torn country.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in an announcement that more than 21 million people, equivalent to over 80% of Yemen's population, are in need of aid.
Under the emergency plan, the United Nations will try to reach 11.7 million people in Yemen who are the most in need.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow badly-needed aid to be delivered to civilians suffering from the air strikes and the rebel offensives in Yemen.
The United Nations has also pushed the Saudi Arabia-led coalition to allow more commercial cargo ships to reach ports in Yemen, which is heavily dependent on imports of food, fuel and other vital supplies.