UN Scales Back Yemen Operations Amid Houthi Crackdown on Aid Workers
UN reduces activities in Yemen due to Houthi detentions of humanitarian staff. Deteriorating situation sees rising malnutrition and food insecurity, with UN appeal severely underfunded.
The United Nations has announced a reduction in its activities in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, in response to a crackdown by Houthi rebels on humanitarian staff. This development comes as the nation, once known as "Arabia Felix" for its fertile land, grapples with a devastating civil war that began in 2014.
Joyce Msuya, the acting UN humanitarian chief, informed the Security Council that the organization has narrowed its focus to essential lifesaving activities in Houthi-controlled areas. This decision follows the detention of over 60 individuals working with the UN and other organizations by the Houthis in June 2024.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, severely impacting Yemen's population of about 30 million people. The situation has been exacerbated by the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in 2015, leading to significant damage to the country's infrastructure and economy.
Msuya strongly rejected false allegations made by the Houthis against humanitarian workers, including claims of UN interference in Yemen's education system. These accusations pose a threat to staff safety and hinder the ability of the UN and its partners to serve the Yemeni people.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, with 62% of surveyed households reporting insufficient food. This crisis is particularly alarming given that Yemen was once a major coffee exporter, with the famous Mocha coffee originating from its port of Mocha.
For the first time on record, three districts in Yemen are facing extremely critical levels of malnutrition, classified as IPC Phase 5, indicating famine conditions. By the end of December 2024, projections suggest that over 600,000 children in government-controlled areas will be acutely malnourished, with around 118,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition – a 34% increase since 2023.
The UN's humanitarian appeal for $2.7 billion for Yemen in 2024 is only 28% funded, highlighting the urgent need for international support. This underfunding is particularly concerning given Yemen's young population, with a median age of 20.2 years, who are at risk of long-term health impacts due to malnutrition and lack of access to basic services.
Access for humanitarian workers remains a critical issue. In the first seven months of 2024, there were 217 incidents of direct interference in humanitarian activities by parties to the conflict, a significant increase from the 169 incidents reported for all of 2023.
Despite these challenges, Yemen's rich cultural heritage, including the ancient city of Sana'a, a UNESCO World Heritage site, serves as a reminder of the country's historical significance and the importance of preserving its unique identity amidst the ongoing crisis.
Msuya expressed hope that programming could be expanded once minimum safety and security requirements for UN personnel and other humanitarian workers are met. This expansion is crucial not only for addressing immediate humanitarian needs but also for tackling long-term issues such as water scarcity, which poses a significant threat to Yemen's future stability and development.
"Time is of the essence if we are to prevent catastrophe."
As the international community grapples with this complex crisis, the need for a sustainable solution that addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development challenges in Yemen becomes increasingly urgent.
