ICRC Office in Aden Attacked

Sana’a/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) strongly condemns an attack which has taken place on its offices in the city of Aden in Yemen. Unidentified gunmen stormed the building on Monday (24 August, 2015) and held staff at gunpoint. Cars, cash and equipment were subsequently stolen. As a result, fourteen international staff members have been relocated.

“This is not the first time that we have had a security incident in Aden,” said the ICRC’s head of sub-delegation in the city, Samer Jarjouhi. “There have been at least ten such incidents recently. This is not acceptable and we have relocated staff until the situation improves.”

It is not clear who the gunmen were but the security situation in Aden has deteriorated in recent months. The ICRC will remain in contact with the authorities in the city to discuss safety considerations.

The ICRC has been present in Aden since 2010 and in Yemen since 1962. ICRC activities, including the provision of food, water and medical care, continue throughout the country. Since the recent crisis broke out in March the ICRC has stepped up its activities in Yemen, and has been providing vital humanitarian support to around one million people in Aden.

The ICRC calls on all parties on the ground to respect the ICRC’s strictly neutral and impartial work and to not obstruct or prevent it from helping people in need.