Ban Ki-Moon calls for ceasefire in Yemen, says the country is “in flames”

The United Nations Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon spoke on the worsening situation in Yemen and said that the country is in flames, while delivering a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C, on Thursday. Emphasizing on the scale of destruction and escalating skirmish, he pointed out how the current crisis is multiplying the already high levels of suffering and insecurity faced by many in the population.

“Even before the latest escalation, two out of three Yemenis relied on humanitarian assistance. Levels of food insecurity were higher than the in the poorest stretches of Africa,” he said.

Mr Ban Ki-moon stressed upon the fact that several lives have been lost in the on-going conflict in Yemen and that supply of deliverables and relief materials have been blocked. Besides, one third of the fighters in Yemen are children, who are being forced to combat and endanger their lives.

The Secretary General called for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen, as the conflicting situation there in deepening. On Thursday, UN’s peace envoy to Yemen resigned in the wake of the conflict that is refusing to cease, targeting several innocent lives on the ground.

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash