For more than ten years, Yemen has been embroiled in a struggle between Houthi rebels and government forces, putting millions of lives and livelihoods in jeopardy, with no end to the conflict in sight. “The desire for military escalation remains,” stated Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, during a briefing with ambassadors. He emphasized that while immediate violence is a critical concern, the economy has now emerged as the “most active frontline” of the conflict, with the national currency plummeting and a rapid decline in purchasing power, making poverty a constant threat. “The limited money that people have is either losing value or literally disintegrating,” he added.
Currently, 17 million individuals are experiencing food insecurity—a figure that could escalate to 18 million by September if humanitarian assistance does not expand swiftly. Over one million children under five years old are suffering from severe malnutrition, which poses risks of lasting physical and cognitive damage. “We have not witnessed this degree of deprivation since the UN-mediated truce in early 2022,” remarked Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.
The crisis is exacerbated by regional instability. Mr. Grundberg pointed to recent assaults by Ansar Allah (the formal name for the Houthi rebels) on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, as well as retaliatory strikes by Israel targeting crucial Yemeni infrastructure, such as ports and a power station, further complicating Yemen’s predicament. “Yemen must not be drawn further into the regional crisis that threatens to destabilize the already precarious situation in the country. The stakes for Yemen are exceedingly high,” he cautioned. However, he noted that the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel could rekindle hopes for renewed negotiations in Yemen.
Despite this, he stressed that Yemen’s peace efforts must not be solely contingent on regional developments. “Yemen must progress independently, transitioning from merely managing shocks and volatility to implementing practical measures that establish a foundation for enduring solutions,” he stated.
Without significant peace negotiations, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is likely to intensify, Mr. Grundberg warned. “A military resolution poses a perilous risk that could exacerbate Yemen’s suffering,” he said. He highlighted recent advancements in the Taiz governorate, where both factions have agreed to collaboratively manage water resources, benefitting over 600,000 people with access to safe drinking water. This agreement also fosters sustainable access to water, decreasing reliance on humanitarian aid. “While negotiations may present challenges, they represent the most promising avenue for addressing the complexities of the conflict sustainably and in the long term,” Mr. Grundberg asserted.
He urged the Security Council to maintain its focus on Yemen and reiterated the UN’s call for the release of all detained humanitarian workers, including UN personnel. Furthermore, he appealed to donors to ensure adequate funding to support aid organizations operating in the region. “The future of Yemen hinges on our collective commitment to protect it from further suffering and to provide its people the hope and dignity they profoundly deserve,” concluded Mr. Grundberg.
