Dr Hamoud Hodeish, Paediatric Oncologist at the National Oncology Centre in Sana'a, visiting a young patient and his relatives at the hospital. "Our main problem now is the borders and the airport, and finding the easiest way to import. The current situation in the country and the closure of the airports has created a big problem for importing drugs and medical equipment, Hodeish said. Photo: Karl Schembri/NRC

Reopening of Yemen's Sana'a airport for medical patients

Published 27. Nov 2019
NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland's reaction to Saudi-led coalition's move to open Sana'a airport for medical patients.

"For the last three years the Sana’a airport closure has been a death sentence for thousands of women, children and men who died prematurely because they were unable to get treatment abroad. Today’s move comes too late for them, but will hopefully save the lives of other Yemenis caught in the conflict and with no available treatment in the country.” 

"We hope all warring parties and their sponsors seize this moment to turn the tide against this war. The blockade must end: restrictions on humanitarian goods, commercial imports of food, fuel and medicine, and the closure of sea ports, have thrown Yemen down a dark valley of intolerable suffering. Over 10 million people are on the brink of starvation. The conflict needs to end so that millions of families can start rebuilding their lives." -- Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.