As Chaos in Yemen Continues, Air Strike Kills Dozens at Refugee Camp

commondreams.org/news/2015/03/30/chaos-yemen-continues-air-strike-kills-dozens-refugee-camp

Monday, March 30, 2015

As Chaos in Yemen Continues, Air Strike Kills Dozens at Refugee Camp

Roughly 500 new families had arrived in the camp over the last two days, escaping bombings in other parts of the country

Deirdre Fulton, staff writer

A displaced family at Al-Mazrak camp in northern Yemen. (Photo: UNHCR)

As a Saudi-led coalition continued to strike Houthi targets in Yemen for a fifth day, at least 45 people have been killed, and dozens more injured, in the northern part of the country after an air strike hit a camp for internally displaced people.

According to Middle East Eye, Al-Mazrak Camp is home to at least 17,000 people displaced by previous fighting between the Houthis and Yemeni government as well as more recent arrivals who have fled this week's attacks.

An International Organization for Migration spokesman said at least 65 people were injured in the bombing, which reportedly hit a medical facility in the camp and the camp management building.
Doctors Without Borders said Monday that roughly 500 new families arrived in the camp over the last two days, escaping bombings in the western area of Sa'dah.

"People in Al Mazraq camp have been living in very harsh conditions since 2009, and now they have suffered the consequences of an airstrike on the camp," said Pablo Marco, the Doctors Without Borders operational manager for Yemen. "We call all parties to spare civilians from violence, respect the neutrality of medical facilities and staff, and allow unhindered access to medical assistance for the wounded."

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