Yemen: OCHA urges Security Council to "choose the path of de-escalation and peace"

Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen by Ms. Edem Wosornu on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths.

As prepared for delivery

Thank you, Madam President,

And thank you to Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, for his update.

While Yemen’s terrible conflict and associated human suffering has dragged on for over nine years, we still have hope that a political solution is at hand.

However, people in Yemen are watching with alarm as the crisis spreading across the region brings with it the risk of renewed violence. This is a cause for serious concern – for the people in Yemen and the humanitarian community serving them.

In these uncertain times, we are thankful that Julien Harneis has assumed his new role as the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen. He has Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths’ full support in fulfilling his essential duties.

Further, allow me to thank Peter Hawkins of UNICEF for serving as the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim, as well as the previous Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, David Gressly, for his work.

Madam President,

Last year, some progress was made in mitigating the humanitarian situation—an indication of the positive impacts of the UN-brokered truce, the subsequent cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian response. However, the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan for 2024 that we and our partners released two weeks ago paints a picture of massive, continuing needs.

For example, in 2024, over 18 million people – over half the population – will need humanitarian assistance and protection services in Yemen.

We anticipate that 17.6 million people will be severely food insecure.

An estimated 2.7 million women and 5 million children under five will need treatment for acute malnutrition.

The situation will continue to deteriorate without urgent and sufficient attention.

Madam President,

In 2023, we received just 40 per cent of the total funding needed under the Humanitarian Response Plan ($1.72 billion of the $4.3 billion requested).

This year, our response is more targeted and prioritized. Our plan has been informed by area-based consultations with local authorities, humanitarian and development actors, and – most importantly – affected people. It is better aligned with development efforts.

As a result, this year’s humanitarian appeal requires $2.7 billion to reach 11.2 million people across Yemen.

As a matter of priority, we urge the international community to step up to ensure that the World Food Programme and partners have the resources necessary to urgently resume food distribution in Houthi-controlled areas and initiate a retargeting and registration exercise.

Without sufficient resources, we may see a sharp deterioration of the food security situation in some areas in the coming months. 2.4 million children and 900,000 women will face an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality due to malnutrition-related complications.

Additionally, in parallel, fully funding the UN’s development framework – estimated at US$1.3 billion – should be a priority to see a transition towards more sustainable solutions.

Madam President,

As we briefed last month, we are watching closely to assess the impacts of the hostilities in the Red Sea on the humanitarian situation, and on our humanitarian operations.

We are receiving reports that transport costs to Hodeidah and Aden ports have, significantly increased since November due to the ongoing hostilities. The World Food Programme has reported increases of up to 110 per cent for containerized shipments to Yemen. Other humanitarian organizations have seen freight rate increases of up to 318 per cent.

While the humanitarian community is also concerned about any potential adverse effects of the recent designation of the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, we note that General Licenses are designed to safeguard many transactions necessary for our humanitarian activities and essential commercial imports.

Nevertheless, we fear there may be an effect on the economy, including commercial imports of essential items on which the people of Yemen depend on more than ever. Humanitarian aid cannot make up for gaps in the supply of commercial goods.

Such effects may reverberate across the country. Yemen’s already fragile economy cannot handle any further major shocks. In Government-held areas, the value of the Yemeni rial has deteriorated even further, reaching its lowest point in over two years, at 1,514 rials against the US dollar – eroding the purchasing power of the average family.

We welcome the 30-day delay in implementing the designation, which has enabled consultations with the humanitarian community and the private sector to mitigate its potential humanitarian impacts.

More broadly, humanitarian organizations are putting in place business continuity plans and engaging with a broad set of actors on the ground to minimize the impact of regional tensions on the humanitarian response.

I echo the Secretary-General’s call for Security Council Resolution 2722 to be respected in its entirety and the need to avoid acts that could further worsen the situation in Yemen.

Madam President,

As the possibility of a return to conflict and increased humanitarian needs grows, we must remember that Yemen is at the forefront of the global climate crisis. It is the third most vulnerable country in the world to climate change and one of the least prepared for climate shocks.

By 2060, the United Nations Development Programme predicts that extreme poverty could be more than 25 per cent higher than it otherwise would be due to climate change.

Climate-induced natural hazards are already worsening the impacts of the annual rainy season, droughts, water scarcity, and desert locusts. Last year, heavy rains and flooding affected around 580,000 people and caused a reported 2,381 injuries and 47 deaths.

Climate-related emergencies not only compound pre-existing risks, but also drive new needs. Over three-quarters of the people newly displaced in Yemen last year were displaced because of severe weather events.

Climate change emergencies accelerate the humanitarian crisis by driving displacement and increasing protection concerns. They threaten the lives, livelihoods and well-being of households.
The impacts on women and girls, who have more limited access to essential services and protection, can be particularly severe.

However, Yemen will need much more international support to prepare for and mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis. This includes adequate access to climate financing, assistance with strengthening national preparatory systems, and investment in climate-resilient development initiatives.

Madam President,

Let me end with three points. 2024 can still be the year Yemen turns the page on the tragedy and suffering stemming from years of conflict and economic deterioration.

Second, we urge the Council to offer its full support to the humanitarian community in its ability to respond to the urgent crisis being experienced, help the people of Yemen transition toward self-sufficiency. 
And lastly, we further ask Council Members to urge all involved to choose the path of de-escalation and peace.

Thank you.