The United Nations says critical aid was cut at 300 health centers across war-ravaged Yemen because of a lack of funding.  (Photo: Al Jazerra)

United Nations, September 23 (RHC)-- Between April and August, more than one-third of the UN’s important humanitarian programs in Yemen were reduced or shut down entirely, the UN said, warning of further drastic cuts “in coming weeks unless additional funding is received.”

Lise Grande, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said only $1bn of the $3.2bn necessary had been received.  “It’s an impossible situation,” Grande said.  “This is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, yet we don’t have the resources we need to save the people who are suffering and will die if we don’t help.”

Yemen has been in left in ruins by six years of war and tens of thousands of people – mostly civilians – have been killed.  The UN says at least 24 million people – more than three-quarters of Yemen’s population – need aid and protection.