Yemen: 23 wounded evacuated from Dammaj
| Publisher | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) |
| Publication Date | 4 November 2013 |
| Cite as | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Yemen: 23 wounded evacuated from Dammaj, 4 November 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55cca19b4.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The International Committee of the Red Cross has today evacuated 23 critically wounded people from Dammaj, northern Yemen and delivered medical supplies to the town, in a humanitarian operation that had been delayed for several days.
"After long discussions with the parties involved in the clashes, we finally obtained access to Dammaj today, and evacuated 23 of the most critically wounded in what we hope will be the first of a number of such operations," said Cedric Schweizer, head of the ICRC delegation in Sana'a. "Although these evacuations were delayed for a long time, this is a positive development," he added. "However, there are still more wounded people in need of treatment, and we hope to be able to come back for them."
The wounded were taken to Saada airport by road, from where they were airlifted to Sana'a for treatment. The organization also supplied the dressings needed to provide basic care to casualties on the spot.
Ever since last week, staff in Saada had been ready to respond to the growing humanitarian needs of people in Dammaj and its surroundings suffering the effects of clashes between armed groups.
The ICRC has been in Yemen since 1962. The organization reiterates its calls to all involved in the clashes to show respect for the lives and physical safety of all. The wounded must receive the medical care they need and health facilities must be protected, not attacked.
