Humanitarian relief agency Gift of the Givers have reported  a breakthrough in their bid to send humanitarian aid to Yemen. In August, the Port of Aden in southern Yemen re-opened after the Yemeni government announced the recapture of the city from Houthi fighters and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. At the end of last June, the Houthis shelled al-Zait port in Aden, causing a huge fire to break out amongst the fuel tanks.

“For six months virtually all ports of entry into Yemen were sealed off. Loading of the first eight containers commences this week; on Thursday we load two each at Pietermaritzburg and Bramley, and on Saturday another two each at the same centers. This is the first batch. We are expecting to load 20 containers collectively,” said the organisation’s founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.

Anas al Hamati, Yemen country manager, has been coordinating the relief items for the needs of the Yemeni people.  Items includes rice, oil, sugar, flour, nutritional biscuits, tinned food, beans, soups, sanitary pads, diapers, blankets, new clothing, shoes, towels, personal hygiene packs and medical supplies.

“Presently 13 million people are on the brink of starvation, medical services are severely compromised, and the country is in crisis as the economy has virtually shut down. Provision of drinking water is a huge necessity,” said Sooliman.

Cash contributions into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account No. 052278611, Branch Code 057525. Please send deposit slip by email or fax with full contact details for acknowledgement purposes.

Details call toll free 0800786777, Allauddin 0836677179, Salim 0836512006. VOC