We continue to work for a cease-fire and the start of a political process in Yemen

The UN Secretary-General’s envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed his hope that the outstanding issues between the legitimate government and “Ansar Allah” (Houthis) could be resolved, explaining that the two parties would be able to abide by an agreement.

“The reality is that the parties are obligated to build on the progress made so far, and to take decisive steps towards a peaceful and comprehensive solution,” Grundberg added during his monthly briefing to the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen. He also expressed his cautious optimism based on the positive steps that have been taken, such as the release of detainees despite the obstacles, stressing at the same time that there are thousands in detention.

The UN official called on “the parties to comply with their obligations under international law to immediately release all those who remain arbitrarily detained, including journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents and other arbitrarily detained civilians.”

On the challenges facing Yemen, he stressed that they can be addressed through an inclusive and comprehensive political process. In this context, he touched on his efforts and the talks he had held since his last briefing to the Council nearly a month ago. Including meetings “with the Yemeni parties and regional spokesmen to reach a cease-fire and launch a political process.”

In this context, he added, “I met with the head of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, in Aden, and the leadership of Ansar Allah, represented by Mahdi al-Mashat, in Sana’a. I also met senior regional and Yemeni officials in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, and senior American officials in Washington, DC.”

He also referred to what he called “a clear determination by all parties to make progress towards an agreement on humanitarian and economic measures, a permanent ceasefire and the resumption of the Yemeni-led political process under the auspices of the United Nations. I also welcome the continued efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman to support the role of United Nations mediation.

He drew attention to the fact that “the armistice provided a favorable environment and a starting point for the next steps,” adding, “More than a year after its announcement, and seven months after its official expiration date, the armistice is still continuing. Yemenis benefit from commercial flights to and from Sana’a airport, fuel and commercial ships.” The other one that enters through the port of Hodeidah.

“While sporadic military incidents continue, the levels of hostilities are much lower than they were before the armistice,” he added. At the same time, he stressed that “the fragility of the military situation, the dire economic situation, and the daily challenges faced by the Yemeni people,” recall the need to reach a comprehensive agreement.

At the same time, he expressed his concern about the “continuing reports of violence across the fronts, particularly in Al-Jawf, Taiz, Marib and Saada, which highlight the fragility of the current situation and confirm the need for an official ceasefire.” He also expressed concern “about the deteriorating economic situation and restrictions on freedom of movement and its impact on economic activity and people’s livelihoods.”

He also spoke about “the inability of the Yemeni government to export oil, which generated more than half of the total government revenues last year,” which impedes “the government’s ability to fulfill its obligations towards the Yemeni people.”

The UN envoy touched on the impact of “inconsistent financial and economic policies in different regions of the country severely on citizens and companies, as companies face uncertainty in particular in Sana’a and surrounding governorates. The lack of cooperation between the two parties on critical monetary and financial issues means that these challenges will increase.” get worse and take root.”

Providing aid to millions a month

For her part, the Director of the Operations and Advocacy Department at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Edem Wasorn, spoke at the beginning of the ability of “relief agencies, in cooperation with hundreds of international non-governmental organizations and local Yemeni organizations, to reach more than 11 million people every month through aid.” humanity.”

In the first three months of this year, Worson said, this included “providing food assistance to about 10 million people per month, while nearly 1 million people benefited from improved access to clean water and sanitation.”

At the same time, the UN official indicated that there are critical factors that limit the ability of the United Nations and partner organizations to provide aid to those in need. In this context, she spoke about issues of access and financing. It stopped at the obstacles faced by humanitarian workers, especially in areas controlled by the Houthis.

“Ongoing restrictions on the movement of Yemeni women aid workers have disrupted agencies’ ability to operate and reach those in need, especially women and girls,” she said. It also drew attention to additional obstacles, bureaucracy, and restrictions in areas controlled by the Houthis as well as the government. She also pointed to “another factor that hinders our ability to provide aid to those in need, which is financing.”

She explained that the United Nations Fund for Humanitarian Aid for Yemen was funded only by approximately twenty percent.