The ITUC is calling on the international community to respond to the humanitarian emergency in Yemen, where shortages of
food, water, electricity, fuel and other essential goods are worsening by the day. Many companies and factories have
closed down, leaving tens of thousands of workers on the street. "The people in this the poorest country in the Arab
world are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their most basic needs. Urgent action must be taken to bring them
the aid they need," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.
Over the five months since the start of the protest movement against President Saleh, who has been in power for 33
years, the humanitarian situation has seriously deteriorated. Prior to the start of the protests in January 2011, Yemen
was already suffering from endemic poverty, with 40% of the population living on less than two dollars a day. The
alarming lack of jobs, poverty and corruption were, moreover, key factors driving many Yemenis to manifest their
discontent and their desire for change when the wave of protests sweeping the Arab world first began.
The United Nations Security Council has recently expressed serious concern over the deteriorating economic, humanitarian
and security situation in the country. It has also urged the parties to the conflict to stop targeting vital
infrastructures. The IMF, meanwhile, has forecast that the rate of inflation could reach 30% this year.
Echoing the serious concerns expressed by the ITUC affiliated organisation in Yemen, the GFYWTU, the international trade
union movement has insisted on the "urgent need for a peaceful and democratic transition to bring a long-awaited
response to the demands expressed by the population". "Alongside the efforts to bring an end to the political deadlock
that has already caused too much suffering and loss of life, the relevant international institutions must take urgent
measures to come to the people's aid," added Sharan Burrow.
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The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 151 countries and territories and has 305 national affiliates. http://www.ituc-csi.org and http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI
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