26 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Yemen have expressed grave concern Tuesday over the humanitarian impacts of the recent military escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea. While the humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains one of the largest in the world, the NGOs warn escalation will only worsen the situation for vulnerable civilians and hinder the ability of aid organizations to deliver critical services.
In a statement, the NGOs urged all actors to prioritize diplomatic channels over military options to de-escalate the crisis and safeguard the progress of peace efforts in Yemen as fears of a widening conflict grow.
Starting last week, air strikes across multiple parts of Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom haven been launched against positions of Houthi rebels in retaliation for weeks of attacks that have disrupted shipping and damaged vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The US/UK airstrikes â in violation of international law - were conducted with the support of other countries, including the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada.
The Houthis â also known as Ansar Allah movement - say they are supporting Palestinian armed groups in the war against Israel in Gaza by attacking international shipping in the Red Sea. The rebels have vowed to continue their operations against vessels in the Red Sea following the retaliatory strikes.
âCivilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and safe, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance must be guaranteed. Within the wider regional context, we also reiterate the call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza to save lives and avert further instability across the region,â the NGO statement said.
Nine years of war have left more than 21 million people â over two-thirds of the population â in desperate need of food, water, and lifesaving assistance. Millions of Yemenis face widespread displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services. The country faces a severe malnutrition crisis, particularly among women and children. With the world's highest malnutrition rate, 1.3 million pregnant and lactating women, and 2.2 million children under five urgently need treatment.
The impact of the security threat in the Red Sea is already being felt by humanitarian agencies, as disruption to trade is pushing up prices and causing delays in shipments of lifesaving goods. In addition, following the military air strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom, some aid organizations have been forced to suspend operations over safety and security concerns, while others assess their ability to continue operations.
Further escalation could result in more organizations being forced to halt their operations in areas where there are ongoing hostilities. Impacts to vital infrastructure, including strategic ports, would have major implications for the entry of essential goods into a country heavily dependent on imports.
âScarcity and increased costs of basic commodities, such as food and fuel, will only exacerbate the already dire economic crisis, increase reliance on aid and drive protection risks. All actors have a legal obligation to ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian assistance so that people in need can access aid services.â
Despite operating in one of the most challenging environments in the world, the humanitarian agencies say they remain committed to delivering lifesaving assistance to millions of people in Yemen.
âHowever, our ability to reach the most vulnerable populations is already being impacted by declining global funding cuts and suspensions in food aid, which have forced some organizations to significantly scale back their operations,â the NGOs said.
âPolitical leaders must consider the dire humanitarian implications of military escalation, and refrain from actions that could result in renewed large-scale armed conflict in Yemenâ, the statement continued.
The NGOs warn that the recent escalation also underscores the risk of a wider regional and international confrontation that could undermine Yemenâs fragile peace process and longer-term recovery.
Among the signatories are: Action contre la Faim, CARE, Danish Refugee Council, Humanity & Inclusion â Handicap International, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief, Norwegian Refugee Council, Relief International and Save the Children.
In a separate statement Monday, the humanitarian organization Oxfam warned the âlast thing Yemen needs is further conflict.â Oxfam called on the United Kingdom, the United States and all other parties to de-escalate immediately and continue to advance an inclusive political settlement in Yemen.
On Tuesday, in a related development, the United Nations Security Council held closed consultations on Yemen. Members heard from UN special envoy, Hans Grundberg, who is continuing his talks with all sides. Also Tuesday, in a call with the Iranian Foreign Minister's senior advisor, Ali Asghar Khaji, Grundberg discussed peace efforts in Yemen, according to a UN spokesperson.
In December 2023, after a series of UN-brokered meetings in Saudi Arabia and Oman, the warring parties in Yemen agreed on important steps to end the devastating civil war. The agreed measures include the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire, the improvement of living conditions in Yemen and the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices, which should lead to lasting peace in Yemen.
Over the weekend, Grundberg, issued a statement expressing his concern about recent developments involving Yemen. He noted with serious concern the increasingly precarious regional context, and its adverse impact on peace efforts in Yemen, stability and security in the region.
The special envoy urged all involved to exercise maximum restraint and to prioritize diplomatic channels over military options and calls for de-escalation. Grundberg reiterated the Secretary-Generalâs earlier call for all involved to avoid actions that would worsen the situation in Yemen, escalate the threat to maritime trade routes, or further fuel regional tensions.
In a statement Friday, UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres said attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea area were "not acceptable" and endangered the safety and security of global supply chains and had a negative impact on the economic and humanitarian situation worldwide. He urged the Houthis to immediately cease their attacks and called for all parties to respect the Security Council resolution in its entirety.
Security Council resolution 2722 (2024), adopted last Wednesday (January 10) demands that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks on commercial shipping. It does not allow military action.
Guterees also stressed the need to avoid acts that could further worsen the situation in Yemen. He called for every effort to be made to ensure that Yemen âpursues a path of peace and that the work undertaken thus far to end the conflict in Yemen should not be lostâ.
However, the Secretary-General also called upon all Member States defending their vessels from attacks to do so in accordance with international law. He urged all parties involved not to escalate even more the situation in the interest of peace and stability in the Red Sea and the wider region.
Further information
Full text: Yemen: Escalation spells disaster for civilians still reeling from crisis say INGOs, Norwegian Refugee Council, statement by 26 aid organizations, published January 16, 2024
https://www.nrc.no/news/2024/january/yemen-escalation-spells-disaster-for-civilians-still-reeling-from-crisis-say-ingos/
Full text: Following Air Strikes, Secretary-General Urges Adherence to International Law, Avoidance of Acts That Could Exacerbate Situation in Yemen, statement, Spokesman for UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres, published January 12, 2024
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22103.doc.htm