Amid Fragile Humanitarian Situation, Inclusive Peace Process Only Pathway to Permanently End War in Yemen, Many Speakers Tell Security Council
Despite relative calm since the expiration of a truce in October 2022, Houthi militias in Yemen continue to threaten the country’s fragile security, humanitarian and economic situations, speakers told the Security Council today, calling for urgent action by all parties to relaunch the political peace process.
Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, reiterated his condemnation of the murder of World Food Programme (WFP) staff member Moayad Hameidi in Taïz Governorate on 21 July, while expressing great relief at the release of five UN colleagues kidnapped in Abyan Governorate in February 2022. Turning to mediation efforts, he cited recent meetings with senior Yemeni officials, as well as senior Saudi Arabian officials, Ansar Allah Houthi representatives and senior Omani officials. With intermittent fighting continuing since the expiration of the truce in October 2022, he called on all parties to refrain from escalatory rhetoric.
Turning to the increasingly dire economic situation, he noted the Government is still being prevented from exporting petroleum products, its major source of revenue. Power stations are shutting down due to lack of fuel, and electricity cuts in Aden are reaching 18 hours per day amid sweltering weather. Amid these terrible conditions, Saudi Arabia’s pledge of $1.2 billion is a welcome step, but there will be no lasting improvement until the parties agree on sustainable solutions to Yemen’s economic and fiscal challenges.
He recalled that his office is working to convene the parties to address some of their immediate priorities to move towards an inclusive and sustainable political settlement: exploring options with them including regular public sector salary payments, affordable basic commodities, a functional banking system and facilitating commercial activity. Stressing the importance of the steadfast support of the Security Council for his mediation efforts, he pointed to the removal of the oil from the FSO Safer to a new vessel — thereby preventing an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe.
Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, noted that in 2023 the humanitarian community has pushed to increase its presence in previously underserved areas, including a United Nations assessment mission dispatched to Raymah Governorate. However, misinformation and disinformation against humanitarians are making work more dangerous and difficult than it already is. United Nations national female staff face extensive movement restrictions, with the Organization engaging with both the de facto authorities and the Government of Yemen to chart a path forward.
In 2023, humanitarians aim to provide support to more than 17 million people in need; however, Yemen’s humanitarian response plan has received only 31 per cent of a required $4.34 billion. WFP recently announced the suspension of its malnutrition prevention activities across Yemen, starting from August, and humanitarian partners reported that only 1 in 5 children targeted for severe acute malnutrition support in Al Jawf Governorate were getting needed assistance. While progress towards a political resolution is vital, she warned there will be much less humanitarian funding available in 2024.
Amat al-Salam Abdullah Abdo al-Hajj, Founder and President of the Abductees’ Mothers Association, stressed that “tragic stories caused by the war in Yemen are plenty”, underscoring the pain of “mothers who have lost their sons”. Since 2016, her organization has documented that 9,568 civilians have been abducted by different parties to the conflict, with the Houthis responsible for 9,130 cases, including 130 women, she said. Stressing that freedom cannot be used as “bargaining chip”, she noted that “women cannot access basic rights, including sexual reproductive health rights” and are subjected to forced disappearances and even targeted killing”. She urged the Council to put an end to the war.
In the ensuing debate, speakers echoed condemnation of the killing of Mr. Hameidi, and continued Houthi violence in numerous areas which threatens an already volatile security and humanitarian situation — stressing that an inclusive peace process under UN auspices is the only pathway to permanently end the war....
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15383.doc.htm
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