Statement of the Yemen Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Johannes van Der Klaauw, 26 March 2015

Sana’a, 26 March 2015.

I strongly urge all parties to the on-going conflict in Yemen to show restraint, observe their obligations to protect civilians and find a peaceful, political settlement to all grievances. I also urge parties to the conflict to observe international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and allow access for humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. The humanitarian community remains committed to provide much-needed assistance to millions of vulnerable Yemenis, security permitting. However, we are extremely concerned that escalating conflict could have a serious impact on civilians and undermine the humanitarian community’s ability to deliver aid.

Conduct of hostilities in Yemen over the last year has seen a growing rate of protection violations, including targeting of schools, health facilities and other social infrastructure. These incidents have often had a disproportionate impact on children. The attack on a checkpoint in Al Bayda in December 2014 claimed the lives of 16 school girls, for example, and the mosque attacks in Sana’a last week killed 12 children. Children are also recruited by many parties to the conflict. In terms of wider impact, conflict displaced about 100,000 people in 2014 – mostly temporarily – and affected livelihoods and coping mechanisms of vulnerable Yemenis.

Already the poorest country in the Middle East, socio-economic conditions and basic services have been eroded over the last four years. The majority of humanitarian needs in Yemen stem from decades of endemic poverty, underdevelopment and weak institutions. Women and children disproportionately carry this burden. In 2015, partners estimate that about 15.9 million people – or 61 per cent of the population – will require some kind of humanitarian assistance.

This number could further increase if violence continues to escalate.

I am extremely concerned that escalating conflict could divert scarce resources available to Yemeni authorities away from providing basic services and a safety net for the most vulnerable. This could have disastrous consequences for the well-being and survival of millions of vulnerable people who are already deprived of access to basic healthcare, safe drinking water, food, nutrition and protection.
The humanitarian community remains convinced that now is the time that people in Yemen most need our support. In 2015, humanitarian partners are seeking $747.5 million to provide a range of life-saving, protection and resilience services for 8.2 million people – including $284.6 million for the most urgent life-saving and protection programmes. I call on donors to provide rapid, full support for this appeal. The Humanitarian Country Team, along with our international and national partners, will continue to do our outmost to ensure that we can implement this plan.

For further information, please contact:

Ogoso Erich, Public Information Officer, OCHA Yemen, Tel +962 795 203 158, email – ogoso@un.org