UN warns Yemen blockade may create largest famine the world has seen in decades

Yemen will face, "the largest famine the world has seen for many decades" unless the Saudi-led military coalition lifts its blockade of the war-torn nation, the United Nations' humanitarian chief has warned.

Mark Lowcock told reporters after briefing the UN Security Council behind closed doors there must be an immediate resumption of regular air flights to the cities of Aden and Sanaa by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners.

He said there must also be immediate access to all ports, especially for food, fuel, medicine and other essential supplies.

The coalition tightened its blockade in Yemen this week after a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels was intercepted near the Saudi capital — an act condemned by Mr Lowcock and the Security Council.

The UN said aid agencies were given no prior notice of the Saudi decision to shut down all land, air and seaports in Yemen.

Mr Lowcock said he told the council, "There will be famine in Yemen" unless five steps are taken immediately.

"It will not be like the famine that we saw in South Sudan earlier in the year where tens of thousands of people were affected," he said.

Mr Lowcock called for an immediate resumption of UN and other aid flights to Sanaa and Aden, as well as assurances from the coalition there would be no further disruptions to those flights.

He also called for the coalition to allow a World Food Program ship to be pre-positioned off Aden and assurances there would be no further disruption to its functions.

"What we need to see is a reduction of blockages on all sides, not an increase on them," he said.

20 million people struggling to find food

David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Program, told AP that out of Yemen's population of up to 28 million people, 19 million to 20 million, "do not know where they're going to get their next meal".

The agency is reaching only 7 million Yemenis, he said, "partly because of lack of funds and partly because of lack of access" by the coalition and the Houthis.

Mr Lowcock said he couldn't put a timeline on famine if the Saudi blockade isn't lifted, but it is inevitable.

"Children are losing their lives all the time in Yemen," he said, because they are malnourished and don't have the ability to fight off even a cold.

The UN Security Council expressed concern about, "the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, with 6.8 million people threatened with famine and suspected cholera cases at over 900,000".

The council emphasised the importance of keeping all of Yemen's ports and airports functioning, "as a critical lifeline for humanitarian support and other essential supplies".

Council members reiterated the need for the coalition and the Houthis, "to provide full, safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and UN personnel to the population of all affected governorates, including by air, land and sea".

AP/Reuters