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9 July 2015
- From the section Middle East
The United Nations says a humanitarian ceasefire will be introduced in Yemen on Friday and will last until the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
More than 3,000 people have been killed since a Saudi-led coalition began an air campaign in March to drive back Houthi rebels and restore the government.
Aid agencies say a blockade on Yemen means it is facing a humanitarian disaster.
Ramadan is expected to end on 17 July.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: “It is imperative and urgent that humanitarian aid can reach all vulnerable people of Yemen unimpeded and through an unconditional humanitarian pause.”
The pause will come into effect at 23:59 local time (20:59 GMT) on Friday.
On Tuesday, the UN announced that at least 1,528 civilians were among the 3,000 dead.
Another one million civilians have been displaced by the conflict and more than 80% of Yemen’s 25 million people now need some form of humanitarian aid.
Charities say a lack of fuel in Yemen is making it difficult to reach those in need and to provide adequate care in hospitals.
The coalition allowed a five-day humanitarian ceasefire in May, but much of the aid promised to those in need has failed to materialise.
The UN said that it had received only 13% of the $1.6bn (£1bn) needed for its aid operation in Yemen since launching an appeal last month.
Saudi Arabia has pledged $274m, but none of the money has yet materialised.
