UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is monitoring the latest developments around Hodeidah city in the Yemen conflict, said a UN spokesman on Friday.
"We are aware of reports of the withdrawal of government of Yemen forces from around areas south of Hodeidah city up to At Tuhayta District, and indications that Houthi forces have now moved into much of the vacated areas," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The United Nations was not informed in advance of the movements. Nevertheless, the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement is monitoring the situation closely and liaising with the parties to establish the facts on the ground and to respond, as necessary, according to its mandate, he said.
"We call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety and security of civilians in and around those areas where shifts in front lines have taken place," said Haq.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Thursday that fighting continued along nearly 50 front lines in Yemen. The humanitarian community is scaling up assistance, but is quickly getting outpaced by the increasing scale of humanitarian needs.
So far, aid agencies have received about 55 percent of the funding they require for this year. This has helped to keep famine at bay and achieve other important results. But money is quickly running out. Humanitarians also need to be able to do their work safely and without interference, said the office. Enditem
