UN Confirms 29 People Killed In Aerial Bombing That Struck IDP Camp

A Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General today confirmed that at least 29 persons were killed Monday in aerial bombing that struck camp for internally displaced persons in Yemen, and that local UN authorities had called on combatants to respect international and humanitarian laws.

Farhan Haq, a deputy spokesperson said, "our humanitarian partners and local residents have confirmed that air strikes bombarded the Al Mazraq area of Hajjah Governorate yesterday morning, hitting a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and surrounding civilian infrastructure.

"According to initial reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), these strikes killed at least 29 people and injured 41 – all of whom appear to be civilians. Of the 41 people injured, 14 are children and 11 are women. Casualty figures are likely to rise as bodies are retrieved from the camp and additional injury reports are verified."

Haq said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, the UN's top humanitarian official in Yemen, called on all parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights law.

He said, "the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen had called on all parties to observe their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law."

According to media reports, the civilians were killed when what appeared to be an airstrike hit a camp for displaced families on Monday, in what the reports said might have been the deadliest single episode involving civilians since Saudi Arabia began a military campaign to drive back Houthi combatants five days earlier.

SHOTLIST:
31 MARCH 2015, NEW YORK CITY

Exterior United Nations Headquarters
Press briefing room
Reporters
Statements of Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
Reporters
Haq leaves the podium

SOUNDBITE (English) Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General:
"Our humanitarian partners and local residents have confirmed that air strikes bombarded the Al Mazraq area of Hajjah Governorate yesterday morning, hitting a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and surrounding civilian infrastructure.
According to initial reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), these strikes killed at least 29 people and injured 41 – all of whom appear to be civilians. Of the 41 people injured, 14 are children and 11 are women. Casualty figures are likely to rise as bodies are retrieved from the camp and additional injury reports are verified.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General:
"The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen deplored yesterday's attack in the strongest terms and called on all parties to observe their solemn obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law at all times."

DURATION: 01:16