Yemen - NGOs now being deliberately targeted

3 September 2015 - RPS Partnership

Two Red Cross staff were gunned down outside Sanaa and killed in their car.

On 2 September 2015 a gunman opened fire on a Red Cross vehicle killing both the driver and a field officer in what appears to be a deliberate targeting.

Both casualties were Yemeni nationals who were driving to the capital Sanaa; they were attacked in the Amran province.

The attack was preceded by an incident in August 2015 in which gunmen raided a Red Cross headquarters in the port city of Aden, causing the Red Cross to suspend its operations in that city.

A Red Cross spokesperson stated that all services in the country have been suspended for the time being. Since 2014, Yemen has endured widespread warfare resulting in much-needed humanitarian aid and emergency services.

Reports indicate that approximately 80 percent of the population is in need of some form of aid since fighting began more than five months ago. As it not known why the Red Cross has been targeted, it is advised that all NGOs review their security plans and security arrangements to protect their foreign and local staff.

RPS advises against travel to Yemen unless they are protected whilst there and they have robust security arrangements in place. If you plan to travel there, contact us [email protected] for training and support prior to going.

Photo: With thanks to the bbc.co.uk 

Yemeni town of Shibam