The UN’s relief chief warned that Yemen’s civilians are bearing the cost of an escalating conflict, with nearly 300,000 people displaced since August.

“Yemen’s civilians are paying a brutal price for this escalating conflict,” said Tom Fletcher.

Fletcher said roads are closed and supplies are running out in the besieged city of Taiz, home to around 1 million people, where water production has halved and food prices have soared by at least 50 per cent. Hospitals are running out of fuel and medicines, he added.

He said he spoke with Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah Abdulaziz Al-Zouba about the crisis, adding that humanitarian partners have reached nearly 260,000 displaced people, but “needs are outpacing our response.”