Sana’a, 21 April 2018 – The United Nations is deeply shocked by the killing of an aid worker from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which occurred today in Taizz Governorate.

“We condemn this terrible and unjustified shooting,” said Lise Grande, Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen.

“Humanitarians are working around-the-clock to provide food, medical care, shelter, water and survival items to millions of people who have been impacted by this devastating conflict,” said Ms. Grande. “We cannot do what we have to do if we are unsafe and fear for our lives.”

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of our ICRC colleague and to everyone in ICRC,” said Ms. Grande.

“Parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to do everything possible to protect civilians and ensure they have the assistance they need to survive. We cannot stress enough the obligation of the parties to protect the people who provide this aid.”

Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Twenty-two million people, 75 percent of the population, require some form of humanitarian assistance and protection. More than 190 partners are currently working across Yemen to provide life-saving aid. At a conference in Geneva on 3 April, forty countries pledged more than USD 2 billion to support humanitarian operations in Yemen.</s>A humanitarian aid worker was shot and killed in Yemen on Saturday morning after an attack on his vehicle, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

Hanna Lahoud was a staffer in charge of the ICRC’s detention program in Yemen. The Lebanese national was on his way to visit a prison when a group of unknown armed men attacked the car he was in, the aid group said. Lahoud was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.

“We are all in shock,” Robert Mardini, the ICRC’s Middle East director, said in a statement. “Hanna was a young man full of life and was widely known and liked. Nothing can justify Hanna’s murder and we are in deep mourning for our dear friend and colleague.”

The colleagues Lahoud was traveling with were unharmed in the attack, which happened on the outskirts of the southwestern city of Taiz.

“We are appalled by this brutal attack on a fellow humanitarian who gave his life working to help others in need,” Shane Stevenson, Oxfam’s country director in Yemen, said.

“An attack on humanitarian workers is not only an attack on a humanitarian worker but also on the rights of people affected by conflict to receive assistance and protection,” read a joint statement issued by 15 international aid organizations in response to the attack.

Lahoud’s death is the latest casualty in a deadly civil war that has been ongoing since 2015.

In January 2015, a rebel group of Shiite Muslims called the Houthis overtook the presidential palace in Yemen’s capital Sanaa and drove out the US-backed government led by President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.

The conflict quickly escalated into a multi-sided war, allowing groups like al Qaeda and ISIS to flourish.

Since March 2015, neighboring Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition of Gulf states against Houthi rebels in northern Yemen. In November 2017, the coalition tightened its blockade on Yemen, cutting off deliveries of food, medical supplies and other aid to the population there. The blockade has caused a countrywide famine.

The United Nations recently declared the situation in Yemen the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

As the conflict enters its fourth year, more than 22 million people are in desperate need of aid and protection, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. Millions are without access to clean drinking water and do not know where they will obtain their next meal.</s>SANAA: A Red Cross employee was killed in Yemen's southern city of Taez today, an ICRC spokesman said.

"One of our colleagues was killed by an armed man in Taez city," Sanaa-based Red Cross official Adnan Hizam told AFP.

Most of Taez is government-controlled, but many parts of the surrounding area remain in the hands of Huthi rebels. The International Committee of the Red Cross has not made public the aid worker's nationality or name.

"We are in mourning for one of our colleagues who was shot dead in #Yemen this morning. We are trying to find out more about this tragic incident," ICRC Yemen tweeted.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led coalition intervened in the country in March 2015 to push back Huthi rebels who forced the government into exile.

The United Nations says the conflict has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with over 22 million people dependent on aid and 8.4 million on the verge of famine.

Yemen is also struggling with cholera and diphtheria outbreaks.</s>A gunman shot dead a Lebanese aid worker from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday near the city of Taiz, southern Yemen.

The incident took place early in the morning when a team of aid workers from the ICRC was returning from Taiz city.

The ICRC confirmed to Middle East Eye that Hanna Lahoud, a Lebanese employee, was killed, stating that they were trying to find out more about the incident. Yemeni officials also confirmed to Reuters the identity and nationality of the slain aid worker.

“One of our colleagues was killed by an armed man in Taiz city,” Sanaa-based Red Cross official Adnan Hizam told AFP.

The aid worker was killed by multiple gunshots to the heart, according to a hospital source who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP. A statement by the ICRC confirmed that Lahoud had died as a result of his injuries.

“The team stopped their car in the al-Dhabab area to buy local cheese, and then a gunman came towards the team by motorcycle and opened fire on the car, killing the Lebanese employee Hanna Lahoud,” a source in the Taiz Security office told MEE.

Al-Dhabab, or Zabab, area is the southwestern entrance of Taiz city, which is under the control of the pro-government forces. Lahoud was killed near one of their checkpoints.

The killer fled the area, and the pro-government forces are still searching for the gunman.

“It was a mistake by the team to stop in al-Dhabab area, where there are many militants and the team does not have guards. We are still chasing the killer, and definitely we will arrest him,” the source added.

Most of Taiz is controlled by forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, while the Houthi rebels still hold many parts of the surrounding area.

This is the first time an aid worker has been killed in the war-torn city during the Yemeni civil war, sparking fears that other organisations will be afraid to send their employees to Taiz.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“We know that there are some groups who try to create chaos in the city and exaggerate the suffering of Taiz residents, but the pro-government forces are responsible to find these groups and save this city,” Ahmed Abdul Hamid, a resident in Taiz, told MEE.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led coalition intervened in the country in March 2015 to push back Houthi rebels who forced the government into exile.

The United Nations says the conflict has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with over 22 million people dependent on aid and 8.4 million on the verge of famine.

Yemen is also struggling with cholera and diphtheria outbreaks.</s>The International Committee of the Red Cross says a staff member was killed Saturday in southern Yemen. 

 

 "One of our colleagues was killed by an armed man in Taez city," Red Cross official Adnan Hizam said. 

 

 Security officials told the Associated Press that Hanna Lahoud of Lebanon was shot by the gunman who opened fire on a ICRC vehicle. 

 

 If was not immediately clear how many people were in the vehicle and if there were any more casualties. 

 

 More than two million people have become internally displaced in Yemen since March 2015. That is when a Saudi-led coalition began a bombing campaign against Houthi rebels in support of Yemen's government. 

 

 Yemen, the site of the world's largest humanitarian crisis, has more than 22 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Aid agencies warn needs are increasing - fueled by the ongoing conflict, collapsing economy, lack of social services and livelihoods.</s>A Lebanese Red Cross employee was gunned down in his car in war-torn Yemen's southern city of Taez on Saturday, the ICRC announced.

"I´m shocked, outraged and profoundly saddened by the killing of my colleague and friend Hanna Lahoud," tweeted Robert Mardini, Middle East director for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"We @ICRC condemn this senseless act in the strongest possible terms," he wrote. "My thoughts go out to Hanna´s wife and family in #Lebanon."

The ICRC said Lahoud, who was charge of prisoners' affairs in Yemen, was on his way to visit a prison when his car came under attack by unknown gunmen.

He died in hospital of his wounds, while colleagues in the same car were unharmed, it said in a statement.

The aid worker was killed by multiple gunshots to the heart, according to a hospital source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The back window of the car was completely shattered in the attack in the Zabab district of Taez, said an AFP photographer at the scene.

Most of Taez is controlled by forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, while Huthi rebels hold many parts of the surrounding area.

A colleague of Lahoud's mourned his death on Twitter:

"He saved hundreds of lives as a volunteer for the Lebanese Red Cross. He made silly jokes. He had a wonderful voice... He also beat cancer 2 years ago. Today an idiot took his life," tweeted ICRC regional spokeswoman Marie Claire Feghali.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the country in March 2015 to push back Huthi rebels who forced the government into exile.

The United Nations says the conflict has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with over 22 million people dependent on aid and 8.4 million on the verge of famine.</s>April 21 (UPI) -- A humanitarian aid worker was shot and killed Saturday while in his vehicle in southwestern Yemen.

Hanna Lahoud, a Lebanese national in charge of the detention program, was on his way to visit a prison when he was attacked in his vehicle by unknown armed men outside of Taiz, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement.

Lahoud was rushed to a hospital where he later died. Colleagues traveling with Lahoud were unharmed in the incident.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross is deeply saddened by the fatal shooting today of one of its staff members in Yemen," the statement read.

ICRC's Middle East Director, Robert Mardini, said the organization is in shock.

"We condemn this brutal and apparently deliberate attack on a dedicated humanitarian worker. Hanna was a young man full of life and was widely known and liked," said Mardini. "Nothing can justify Hanna's murder and we are in deep mourning for our dear friend and colleague. Our hearts and thoughts are with Hanna's loved ones and friends."

Lahoud had been working for the ICRC since 2010 in various field positions and at the organization's headquarters. Previously, he had been a first aid volunteer and staff member with the Lebanese Red Cross.

Shane Stevenson, country director of the humanitarian group Oxfam in Yemen, said as a very close knit international community, "we are all saddened by the death of our colleague."

"Our most sincere sympathies go to Hanna's family and colleagues at ICRC. We are appalled by this brutal attack on a fellow humanitarian who gave his life working to help others in need," Stevenson said. "Aid workers need security and protection to deliver life-saving aid, and we remain committed to the cause for which Hanna gave his life."</s>SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Unidentified armed men shot dead a humanitarian aid worker in Yemen's southwestern province of Taiz early Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

Hanna Lahoud of Lebanon, who was in charge of the ICRC's detention program in Yemen, was shot at while on his way to visit a prison. He was rushed to hospital but died from his wounds. Other staff members accompanying him were unharmed, the ICRC said in a statement.

Yemeni security officials said Lahoud was killed in the district of al-Dabab which is under the control of forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. They said he suffered at least four gunshot wounds before being carried to the hospital where he died.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

"We condemn this brutal and apparently deliberate attack on a dedicated humanitarian worker," the ICRC's Middle East Director Robert Mardini said.

The United Nations also condemned the "unjustified" killing of Lahoud. "Parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to do everything possible to protect civilians and ensure they have the assistance they need to survive," U.N. Human Coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande said.

Yemeni officials said an investigation would be held into the incident, according to a statement by the Ministry of Local Administration.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since March 2015 pitting a Saudi-led coalition backing Hadi's government against Shiite rebels, known as Houthis. The stalemated war has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 22.2 million Yemenis in need of assistance.</s>A member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Yemen's Taiz province on Saturday, a security official said.

"Unknown gunmen raided the car of an ICRC team with a barrage of gunshots in the market of Dhabab in Taiz province, killing the team leader on the spot," the official told Xinhua news agency.

Witnesses said the ICRC worker, who was reportedly Lebanese, was shot in the chest near a shop and died immediately.

The ICRC delegation in Yemen said: "We are in mourning for one of our colleagues who was shot dead in Yemen this morning. We are trying to find out more about this tragic incident," the statement said.

The attackers fled the scene. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.</s>SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Unidentified armed men shot dead a humanitarian aid worker in Yemen's southwestern province of Taiz early Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

Hanna Lahoud of Lebanon, who was in charge of the ICRC's detention program in Yemen, was shot at while on his way to visit a prison. He was rushed to hospital but died after suffering injuries. Other staff members accompanying him were unharmed, the ICRC said in a statement.

Yemeni security officials said Lahoud was killed in the district of al-Dabab which is under the control of forces loyal to the internationally recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. They said he was suffered at least four gunshot wounds before he being carried to the hospital where he died.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

"We condemn this brutal and apparently deliberate attack on a dedicated humanitarian worker," the ICRC's Middle East Director Robert Mardini said.

Yemeni officials said an investigation would be held into the incident, according to a statement by the ministry of local administration.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since March 2015 pitting a Saudi-led coalition backing Hadi's government against Shiite rebels, known as Houthis. The stalemated war has rendered Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 22.2 million people in need of assistance.
An International Committee of the Red Cross aid worker is shot dead in Taizz Governorate, Yemen. The United Nations condemns the attack.