Light at the end of the tunnel4/10/2023 ![]() “Funding remains the biggest challenge,” Mr. He noted that while a 16 March event had raised $1.3 billion in pledges – well below what was asked for - more is urgently needed. The UN humanitarian chief said that aid agencies are seeking $4.3 billion to assist 17.3 million people across the country this year. Meanwhile, humanitarian assistance is needed today to keep millions alive. Security Council Meets on Situation in Yemen Millions struggle to stay alive Griffiths, who is also humanitarian affairs chief, elaborated that if some $80 million can be raised, a new UN proposal can be put into effect in May to offload oil from the precarious tanker onto a temporary vessel before replacing the Safer. Safer updateĮfforts are also progressing to resolve the threat posed by the FSO Safer, which has been moored off Yemen’s coast in the Red Sea since 2015. This means that food and other essential goods – nearly all of which must be imported – should soon become more affordable. “Already, the rial has recovered 25 per cent of its value since this announcement,” explained the senior UN official. Moreover, he cited a recently-announced $3 billion economic support package that includes fuel and development assistance as well as a new $2 billion deposit in Yemen’s Central Bank – jointly provided by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – to help stabilize the currency. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that recent progress is helping to “pave the way” for a brighter future.įewer civilian casualties, more fuel ships arriving in Hudaydah and the truce are all positive steps, he said. Security Council Meets on Situation in Yemen Hope for tomorrow “I will need your redoubled efforts and support during this critical period,” he stated. Yemen will need the international community’s support as much as ever to find an inclusive, peaceful and sustainable end to the conflict. Grundberg said, describing the coming weeks as “a test of the parties’ commitments to uphold their obligations,” and build trust and confidence The fragile agreement offers a “rare opportunity to pivot toward a peaceful future,” Mr. ![]() He explained that during his recent visit to Muscat and Sana’a, the Houthi-held capital, he received “reaffirmed commitment to all aspects of implementing the truce” while discussing next steps on strengthening and extending it. “We need to work collectively and intensively.to ensure it does not unravel,” spelled out the UN official, pledging to continue engaging the parties to implement, strengthen and extend it. He flagged that the truce – a result of the parties’ commitments and “longstanding and tireless efforts” of Yemeni civic actors, youth groups, and women peace activists to stop the war – “ it is still fragile and temporary,” “ It is imperative that serious work is done in Taiz to open roads, allowing civilians on either side of the frontlines, both in the city and the surrounding areas, to go to work and school, and facilitate trade”. “Flights to and from Sana’a airport need to resume and we are working with partners to make this happen as quickly as possible,” said the UN envoy.Īnother priority is for an agreement to open roads in heavily-contested Taiz. Benefits of agreementĮasing restrictions on the movement of goods and civilians is a priority for the truce. “ The parties have publicly committed to de-escalation, and this is what the Yemeni people and the international community expect of them”. “I want to remind the parties that the foundational principle of the truce is that the respite it offers should be used to make progress toward ending the war, not to escalate it,” said Mr. However, reports of military operations around Marib must be addressed through the truce mechanisms – or risk setting the stage for a new escalation. Since the start of the truce on 4 April, he pointed to “encouraging signs”, such as a significant reduction in violence and civilian casualties no confirmed airstrikes more fuel flowing through the Hudaydah region’s ports and preparations for commercial flights from Sana’a airport – controlled by the Houthis - for the first time since 2016. He noted that “continued commitment” is required from the Saudi-led coalition which backs the internationally recognized Government, Houthi opposition forces, the region as a whole, and the international community, to ensure that it holds and becomes “a turning point toward peace.” The UN envoy saw the move as “a moment” of respite and possibility, for pursuing peace. Grundberg to #UNSC: "Since the start of the truce, there has been a significant reduction in violence and civilian casualties& no confirmed airstrikes inside #Yemen or cross-border attacks emanating from Yemen."- Ap‘Turning point toward peace’
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |