Oxfam's reactive to the announcement that operation Decisive Storm in Yemen has ended

Oxfam welcomes the announcement by the Saudi Arabian led  Coalition that Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen has ended, but warns that the work to bring aid to millions of Yemenis is still only beginning. 

Grace Ommer, Oxfam's Country Director for Yemen said: "The airstrikes and violence in Yemen during the past 27 days have taken as many as 900 lives. More than half of these were civilians. The news that airstrikes have at least temporarily ended is welcome and we hope that this will pave the way for all parties to the current conflict to find a permanent negotiated peace.

"The news will also come as a massive relief to our 160 Yemeni staff throughout the country as well as the rest of the civilian population all of whom have been struggling to survive this latest crisis in their fragile nation. With instability and insecurity rife throughout the country and fighting continuing on the ground, all parties to the conflict must allow aid agencies to deliver much needed humanitarian assistance to the millions currently in need.

"Oxfam, alongside our partners, stands ready to respond to these needs and plans to reach as many of these people as we can. To help us and others do that that we call on all parties to the conflict to re-open land, sea and air routes into the country immediately in order to allow essential food, fuel and humanitarian provisions to reach those in desperate need." 

Yemen is the Middle East's poorest country where 16 million - over 60% of the population - are reliant on aid to survive. The recent escalation in violence has only added to the unfolding humanitarian disaster.