Yemeni Minister of Transport Amer al-Marani has discussed on Tuesday the catastrophic repercussions of the closure of Sana’a International Airport with United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs for Yemen, William David Grisley.
In the meeting, the minister touched on the suffering of Yemeni patients as a result of the siege and the scarcity of necessary medicines, as well as the risks that patients are exposed to during their travel through the airports of Aden and Seiyoun following the shutdown of Sana’a airport.
Al-Marani stressed the need to re-open Sana’a Airport in order to save the lives of patients and facilitate the return of expatriates to the homeland, adding that Sana’a Airport is the first gateway for the Republic of Yemen to the world.
He called on the United Nations to put pressure on the Saudi-led coalition to quickly lift the siege on the airport for humanitarian reasons, pointing out that “the airport provides its services in accordance with international requirements and the Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO.”
The Minister affirmed that “the coalition is practicing maritime piracy on fuel and food ships, in flagrant violation of all international laws and agreements.”
In turn, Grisley confirmed that he would continue his efforts towards lifting the ban imposed on Sana’a Airport and Hodeidah port for the purpose of humanitarian work.
