Yemen facing 'total collapse' as fighting continues, UN warns

The United Nation's top humanitarian co-ordinator has said Yemen is facing total social, economic and institutional collapse. 

Stephen O'Brien was speaking to the UN Security Council, telling them urgent action is required. Yemen is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, with almost seven million people on the brink of famine. 

An outbreak of cholera has also killed 500 people. Mr O'Brien said the suffering of Yemenis was not a coincidence, or the result of forces



beyond our control but rather the fault of those involved and inaction by world powers.

Al-Qaeda, meanwhile, has taken advantage of the chaos to reinforce its presence in the south and south-east of the country. 

UN figures say that more than 8,000 people - mostly civilians - have been killed and close to 44,500 others injured since the conflict escalated in March 2015. An estimated 18.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.