UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations appealed on Monday for access to the derelict tanker, Safer, off Yemen in order to prevent a catastrophic leak of more than 1 million barrels of oil.
The Beirut port explosion last week highlights the urgency of resolving the threat of an oil spill from an aging vessel that has had almost no maintenance since 2015, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
A major spill would be catastrophic for the environment and would destroy the livelihoods of coastal communities in Yemen. Most of the oil would likely wash up on Yemen's west coast in areas controlled by the Houthi authorities, it said.
A spill would also likely force Hodeidah port, Yemen's largest, to close for weeks or months, OCHA said. Since Yemen imports nearly all its food and everything else through the port, there would be devastating consequences for millions of people, including communities located far from the coast.
Two months ago, seawater began leaking into the engine room, which could have destabilized and sunk the entire vessel, potentially releasing all the oil into the sea. A temporary fix was applied, but it is unclear how long this might last.
The United Nations officially requested the rebel Houthi authorities on July 14 to allow an assessment and initial repair mission to the Safer and now is urging them to expedite the necessary procedures so work can begin.
"The main purpose of the mission will be to conduct a technical assessment and undertake whatever initial repairs might be feasible," OCHA said. "Because the Safer has gone so long without maintenance, its current status is not clear."
"The technical assessment will provide the scientific evidence we need to determine how best to resolve this challenge in the safest way possible. The United Nations is eager to work with the Houthi authorities and all relevant stakeholders to achieve this," said OCHA. Enditem
