Al Habbari informal camp for displaced, Sana'a, August 2018. Photos from an informal camp funded by a private person in Sana'a. Photo: Becky Bakr Abdulla/NRC

Urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and its impact on the most vulnerable populations

Published 10. Sep 2019
Yemen UN
Today, NRC and twelve international agencies presented a joint statement on the crisis in Yemen to the Human Rights Council urging renewed action to hold parties to the conflict accountable.

United Nations Human Rights Council

42nd session

10 September 2019

 

– ID on HC report on Yemen

Joint oral statement by Save the Children and 12 Civil Society Organizations

Urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and its impact on the most vulnerable

populations

A call for renewal and strengthening of the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts

 

Mr. President,

This statement is on behalf of Save the Children and 12 civil society organisations1.

Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Over 24 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance and protection2. Fighting throughout the country remains of grave concern, with recent fighting in southern Yemen threatening to destabilise the country further.   

Humanitarian access remains challenging with more than 7.5 million vulnerable people living in districts with considerable access constraints3. Parties to the conflict continue to deny or delay the delivery of humanitarian services into and throughout the country.

Civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict. We are witnessing an escalation in human rights violations and breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including attacks on critical civilian infrastructure such as health facilities, food and livelihoods infrastructure.  

Renewed action is necessary to hold all parties to the conflict accountable for violations of international law. Member States should:

  • Call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under IHL, take immediate measures to prevent and end violations against civilians, support all steps to avoid harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure; for authorities to implement the Safe Schools Declaration; and ensure full access for humanitarian goods and services;
  • Renew and strengthen the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen, including a focus on accountability, evidence preservation, public reporting, and expertise on gender and children in armed conflict;
  • Suspend the sale or transfer of arms, munitions and related materials to all parties to the conflict;
  • Engage all parties to the conflict to finding a peaceful, sustainable and implementable political solution that is inclusive and accountable to women, youth, children, minority groups and civil society.