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<p>The port of Hodeidah is vital for Yemen. Together with the port of Al-Saleef it
accounts for 80 per cent of all imports into Yemen, a country that relies on imports
to meet 90 per cent of its basic needs such as food and fuel. There are no other ports
in Yemen that can handle such volumes of imports.</p><p>The recent Houthi offensive
has mainly affected the outskirts of the city of Hodeidah and has not damaged port
infrastructure. However, it has reduced the availability of safe transit corridors
and storage facilities for commercial and humanitarian goods leaving the port for
major population centres in Yemen. Reduced levels of imports and damage to distribution
networks has severely limited access to food and medicines for Yemeni citizens.</p><p>Only
safe, rapid, and unhindered commercial and humanitarian access to the Red Sea ports
of Hodeidah and Al-Saleef will ensure that millions of Yemenis in the north of the
country receive the vital supplies of fuel, food, and medicine they desperately need.</p><p>The
Government continues to raise concerns with the Saudi led-Coalition about the potential
impact of any assault on the port and city of Hodeidah. We also continue to make clear
that any military operations must be conducted in accordance with international humanitarian
law, and not disrupt commercial and humanitarian flows.</p><p>Since 2016, the Government
has been a strong supporter of the peace talks between the Government of Yemen and
the Houthis; the first round concluded on 13 December 2018 with some significant progress
including an agreement for the redeployment of forces away from the city and port
of Hodeidah. If successful, this should help enable increased flows of vital humanitarian
and commercial supplies to the Yemeni population.</p>
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