The dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones are a stark reminder of the risks involved in providing aid in war-torn regions.
Recently, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) shared a harrowing account of how he narrowly survived an attack while carrying out his duties, reports Ziare.
His experience sheds light on the precarious situations many face in these areas.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, revealed that he and his colleagues "nearly escaped death" during an Israeli airstrike on an airport in Yemen.
The attack, which occurred as they were leaving Sanaa on Thursday, killed at least six people.
Dr. Tedros described the terrifying moments in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
The team had been in Yemen to negotiate the release of United Nations detainees and assess the country’s dire humanitarian situation.
Just as they were departing, the airport came under fire. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted military sites belonging to Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Dr. Tedros recalled the chaos that ensued. "It was very chaotic. People were disorganized and running everywhere," he said.
He described feeling "completely exposed" during the attack. With no shelter available, survival was left to chance. "If the missile had deviated just a little, it could have been on our heads," he added.
He noted that his presence at the airport had been public knowledge before the incident.
Despite this, he stressed that his life holds no more value than anyone else’s. "Any civilian life is life. My life is no better than another human being's," he said.
Dr. Tedros criticized the strike, pointing out that the airport was a civilian facility. "It should not have been attacked," he said.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers in Yemen, where civilians and humanitarian workers are often caught in the crossfire.
The country remains one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises, and attacks like these only worsen the plight of those trying to bring aid and hope to the region.
