UN council says Yemen conditions 'devastating' for civilians

The UN Security Council warned today that conditions in war-torn Yemen are worsening and having a "devastating" impact on civilians, with 22.2 million now in need of humanitarian assistance.

The council cited indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas, with large numbers of civilian casualties and damage to civilian structures.

"The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, and the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict on civilians," it said in a statement.

The statement said the UN estimate of 22.2 million people now in need of humanitarian aid was 3.4 million more than last year.

The British-drafted statement was the product of weeks of negotiations with Saudi Arabia, a leading protagonist in the conflict, and other countries, diplomats said.

The statement required the unanimous approval of the council's 15 members, unlike a resolution, which can be passed by a simple majority if it is not vetoed by one of its five permanent members.

It called on all parties to "respect and protect schools, medical facilities, and personnel."
In the statement, the council acknowledged "the pledge made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to contribute nearly $1 billion to the UN appeal."