Turning to his mediation initiatives, the UN envoy stated he has been in continued contact with the two sides and countries in the region. Caution against the possibility of renewed assault, he urged the parties “to actively work to increase the longest period of relative quiet we have seen in days gone by eight years, which offers a much-needed reprieve for the Yemeni population. ” Bureaucratic barriers, for example restrictions on humanitarian actions, and delays in approving visas or work allows, were the most frequently reported constraints.
No major escalation
Even though situation “remains complex and fluid”, Mr. Grundberg stated the dialogue efforts have allowed for a clearer associated with the parties’ position and the development of options for mutually acceptable solutions to outstanding issues. Regional and international efforts in the direction of ending their eight-year war have also intensified, pointing in order to “a potential step-change” in the trajectory of the conflict. “We are currently seeing an intensification of regional and international diplomatic activity to solve the conflict in Yemen, and I would like to reiterate my appreciation for the efforts associated with Saudi Arabia and Oman in this regard, ” said Mister. Grundberg.
A holistic approach
Martin Griffiths (on screen), Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs plus Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs the Security Council meeting upon Yemen. This year, some 21. six million Yemenis will need humanitarian education assistance and protection services, UN relief chief Matn Griffiths told the Authorities. Humanitarians also have to cope with attempted interference, which Mr. Griffiths said is “prevalent at every stage in aid delivery”, and is also especially severe in areas under Houthi control. He said “unnecessary and unhelpful access impediments” remain a major obstacle to aid delivery there, and are one of the worst in the world.
“Ultimately any set of steps should be geared towards facilitating an inclusive Yemeni-led process under UN auspices for sustainably resolving the particular conflict, ” he said.
Regional support ‘crucial’
UN Photo/Loey Felipe “Some of the issues on the negotiation table cannot be seen in isolation . You will find sequencing challenges as well as issues around guarantees for all edges, and these need to be addressed, ” said the envoy.
Advice for negotiations
Mr. Grundberg cautioned against “short-term measures and a piecemeal approach that focuses on person issues”. Discussions have focused on options to secure contract on military de-escalation, in addition to measures to prevent further financial deterioration, and mitigating the conflict’s impact on civilians. However , some limited military activity continues along frontlines, particularly in five governorates – Ma’rib, Taiz, Dali’, Hodeidah, and Lahj — as well as along the border along with Saudi Arabia, which has led to civilian casualties. Humanitarian education operations have also been hampered simply by security concerns. Last year, aid agencies reported almost a hundred and fifty incidents of violence against their personnel, mainly in Government-controlled areas. He expressed concern about the imposition of strict mahram requirements, again primarily in locations controlled by the Houthis, which prevent Yemeni women aid workers from travelling with no male guardian.
‘Unnecessary’ aid impediments
Instead, he has been engaging around a more holistic vision plus ensuring the parties shift towards a more comprehensive settlement, which includes resumption of a politics process as well as a nationwide ceasefire. “Two UN staff remain detained in Sana’a after fourteen months, and another five are still missing after being kidnapped in Abyan almost a year ago, ” he added. Mr. Griffiths appealed to the parties to help safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, and to ensure aid workers and assets are protected, in line with worldwide humanitarian law.
He added that while working towards a shared eyesight for ending the discord, it is also essential to break this down into concrete, actionable measures in order to avert potential challenges and delays in implementation.
Restrictions influencing women
“Yemen needs an agreement which includes a shared vision for the way forward, in order to avoid a return to full-blown conflict. I therefore urge the parties to help make the most of the space for conversation provided by the absence of considerable fighting, ” he said . In Yemen, people are dying of treatable ailments because basic healthcare services are no longer available. (file) Specific Envoy Hans Grundberg reported on his ongoing mediation attempts with the Government and Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, following their failure last October to extend a milestone truce that lasted 6 months. “They impede effective programme delivery by forcing delays and even suspensions of critical quests and programmes. And they are increasingly severing our access to Yemen’s most vulnerable people : women and girls, ” mentioned Mr. Griffiths.
Appeal for access
“Last season, humanitarian partners, agencies, reported more than three or more, 300 access incidents . That’s the equivalent of almost 10 a day. And collectively, these incidents…affected the provision of assistance to more than five mil people, ” said Mr. Griffiths. The overall situation on the ground in Yemen has remained stable, without major escalation or changes in the disposition of frontlines, Mister. Grundberg told ambassadors. He stressed that discussions on the short-term way forward must be framed in the framework of a more comprehensive method that delineates a clear pathway towards a sustainable politics settlement.
