First Red Cross Medical Aid Plane Arrives in Sanaa

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Friday, April 10, that its first cargo plane, carrying 16.4 tons of urgently needed medicines, bandages, IV fluids and surgical equipment, landed in Yemen’s besieged capital Sanaa amid fears for the safety of medical staff. The supplies will be distributed to hospitals nationwide.

“These supplies will mean the difference between life and death for those wounded in this conflict,” Cedric Schweizer, who leads the ICRC team in Yemen, said. “But we’re hearing disturbing reports. Health-care facilities have been damaged as a result of collateral damage. Ambulances are being stolen in Aden and health-care workers targeted, which is unacceptable. All those who are wounded and sick are entitled to treatment, and medical personnel must be allowed to work without fear of becoming a target themselves.”

The plane arrived in Sanaa two days after an ICRC surgical team reached the southern port city of Aden. The ICRC warned on Tuesday of a “catastrophic” situation in Aden, as clashes continue between militia loyal to President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and Houthi rebels. The ICRC said in a statement that local hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded in Aden, where ground fighting has resulted in large numbers of casualties. Credit: International Committee of the Red Cross