The United Nations (UN) has announced a temporary suspension of humanitarian operations in the province of Saada in northern Yemen following recent incidents of its staff being abducted by Houthi rebels. This move could have serious consequences for millions of Yemenis who rely on international aid.
Incident Details
According to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq, Secretary-General António Guterres has instructed all agencies to suspend activities in the region due to lack of security guarantees. He emphasized that this is a temporary and extraordinary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of personnel and balancing assistance delivery with staff protection.
It was previously reported that the Houthis had abducted over 50 UN and other international organization workers in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a. Among the abducted were 18 Yemenis working for various UN agencies such as the UN Development Programme, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and World Food Programme. Employees of other international organizations, including the National Democratic Institute and the German Society for International Cooperation GIZ, were also kidnapped.
Humanitarian Situation Consequences
Yemen has been suffering from an armed conflict between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government for over a decade. According to the UN, over 18 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian assistance. The suspension of UN operations could further worsen the situation, leaving millions of people without essential support.
Reaction and Next Steps
Yemen’s Minister of Human Rights, Ahmed Arman, called on the UN and other international organizations to relocate their headquarters from Houthi-controlled Sana’a to Aden, where the official Yemeni government is based. He noted that he had repeatedly warned about the deteriorating treatment of international organization staff by the Houthis.
The UN is using this period to negotiate with the actual authorities in Yemen for the release of detained staff and the creation of safe conditions for the resumption of humanitarian activities. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, calling for the immediate release of the kidnapped and ensuring the safety of humanitarian workers.
Conclusion
The suspension of UN humanitarian operations in Yemen underscores the complexity of the situation in the country and the need to ensure safety for those providing life-saving assistance. The international community must join efforts to address this crisis and support the millions of Yemenis relying on humanitarian aid.
