SITUATION UPDATE
More than one year has passed since Saudi-led coalition forces began airstrikes in Yemen, escalating the country’s ongoing civil conflict to a new level. The airstrikes, along with bombings, ground fighting, and other violence have left much of the country’s cities and infrastructure damaged or destroyed. More than 6,400 people—including at least 3,200 civilians—have been killed since March 2015, and at least 30,000 people have been injured, according to data reported by health facilities; actual casualty figures are likely much higher. The conflict has taken a significant toll on civilians in Yemen, as parties on all sides have failed to adequately protect them. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that children constitute one-third of all civilian conflict-related deaths in Yemen since March 2015.
Renewed efforts to resolve the Yemen conflict through UN-sponsored talks began on April 21 in Kuwait, after some initial delays. The talks were preceded by the establishment of a temporary ceasefire that went into effect on April 10, and remains in effect despite frequent violations. Humanitarian organizations on the ground are monitoring security developments in order to maximize access to hard-to-reach communities. If the ceasefire holds and ground conditions improve, International Medical Corps’ team in Yemen will make use of the pause in conflict to reach health facilities and people in need who have less access to health care and other services. During the temporary ceasefire in December