UN says Iranian ship with Yemen aid is heading to Djibouti where UN is arranging distribution

The United Nations says an Iranian ship with humanitarian supplies for Yemen is heading to Djibouti where the U.N. has its hub for the distribution of aid to the conflict-torn country.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Wednesday the U.N. received word from the Iranian government that the ship “will proceed to Djibouti.” It was originally reported to be heading to Yemen’s Hodeida port.

Haq said given concerns about the situation on the ground in Yemen, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all countries and organizations to arrange aid deliveries with the U.N. to Djibouti for onward distribution in Yemen.

Earlier Wednesday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian told the semi-official ISNA news agency that the vessel Nejat, or Rescue, will travel to Yemen in “full co-ordination with the U.N.”