UN urges Saudi-led coalition to loosen restrictions on Yemen food imports, avoid starvation

The UN emergency relief coordinator has called on the Yemen government and Saudi-led coalition to loosen restrictions on imports of food and fuel through commercial ports into the war-wracked country. “I am particularly concerned about the recent decline of commercial food imports through the Red Sea ports,” Mark Lowcock said in a statement. “Pressure on the currency and a liquidity crisis in the Yemeni banking system make imports less viable for traders.” Confidence among commercial shippers has eroded due to delays, he said, citing “inspections undertaken by the Arab-led coalition after these vessels have been cleared” by UNVIM - the UN verification mechanism.