Washington warns: The Houthi siege exacerbates the humanitarian and economic crisis in Yemen
The United States has warned that the Houthi siege is exacerbating the humanitarian and economic crisis in Yemen. It urged all Yemeni parties to cooperate with the UN Special Envoy and engage constructively in future talks, affirming that Yemenis are genuinely eager to see progress in peace efforts.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the Houthis continue to block oil exports, further worsening the humanitarian and economic crisis in Yemen.
Yemeni suffering
In a briefing to the UN Security Council on Yemen, the US Ambassador stated that some Yemenis are suffering from ongoing and increasing restrictions on the flow of goods, including Houthi obstacles to the sale of cooking gas and the movement of other goods from southern Yemen to the north.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield added, “The Houthis also continue to block oil exports, exacerbating the humanitarian and economic crisis in Yemen”.
Support for the Hodeidah Agreement
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday, extending the mandate of the UN mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement for another year, until July 14, 2024. It considered that renewing this mandate means that the UN mission will continue to support the ceasefire on the western coast of Yemen.
Greenfield said, “The United States welcomes the renewal of the mandate of the UN mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement for an additional year.”
She added, “Progress from Yemeni parties will require coming together to negotiate complex issues, such as the use of Yemeni sovereign resources to pay salaries of public sector employees,” and urged the parties to cooperate with the UN Special Envoy and engage constructively in the future of Yemen through talks.
Securing the SAFER oil tanker
Later, the US Ambassador thanked the United Nations for its updates and perseverance in dealing with the SAFER oil tanker, along with the UN Development Programme, despite noting that there is still much to be done.
Greenfield said, “This step represents a safer model of international cooperation on Yemen.”
She then called for maintaining momentum and securing an additional $25 million needed to complete the two safer operational phases, and encouraged private sector donors to support the UN plan to prevent a catastrophe.
At the same time, Greenfield said, “We must balance efforts such as the SAFER process with the need to continue providing life-saving humanitarian assistance.”
She stated that the UN humanitarian response in Yemen continues to suffer from a severe funding gap, and that cutting aid would have dire consequences for Yemenis at a time when famine conditions are poised to reappear.
Relative calm
Meanwhile, Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, informed the 15-member body that despite the cessation of the ceasefire, Yemen and its people continue to benefit from the longest period of relative calm since the beginning of the conflict.
She added that the ceasefire has contributed to a 40% reduction in grave violations against children and emphasized the need for further progress.
