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8361st Security Council Meeting: Situation in Middle East
Against a “bleak” landscape in Yemen marred by a worsening humanitarian crisis, intensified fighting and attacks cutting off vital food and trade routes, the international community must take swift, concerted action to prevent a widespread famine, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs told the Security Council today.
“We may now be approaching a tipping point beyond which it will be impossible to prevent massive loss of life as a result of widespread famine across the country,” said Mark Lowcock, who is also the Emergency Relief Coordinator, emphasizing that years of fighting triggered a devastating cholera outbreak and the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Further, a dramatic economic collapse meant that 75 per cent of the country required assistance or protection, with 18 million people now food insecure.
To address those and other concerns, he asked the Council for support in three areas in order to prevent a complete collapse while safeguarding the lives of millions: take immediate measures to stabilize the economy; ensure that all stakeholders uphold their civilian-protection obligations; and request that all parties find practical solutions to ensure the opening of an air bridge that will enable civilians to seek outside medical treatment for diseases no longer treatable inside Yemen.
“Of course, the parties need to get around the negotiating table and engage seriously with the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on a positive path towards peace,” he stressed.
Many members pressed the Council to play its role, with Equatorial Guinea’s representative calling the human cost is unacceptable. He condemned attacks on public areas, urging parties to cease hostilities and enable aid delivery.
Peru’s delegate said that following the adoption of resolution 2436 (2018) on civilian protection today, the Council must ensure swift action, support a ceasefire and step up efforts to bring parties to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, France’s representative said the Council must support the efforts of international financial institutions to address Yemen’s economic crisis.
Highlighting other concerns, Kuwait’s representative said the Council must send a message to the parties — and the Houthis in particular — making clear that it is unacceptable for Council resolutions to be ignored. The Russian Federation’s delegate, calling on all parties to cooperate with the Special Envoy, condemned any unilateral strikes against Saudi Arabia or other neighbouring States, which will only widen gaps of trust. He proposed launching a “package of security and confidence-building measures” and stressed that “threats and confrontation must give way to cooperation and dialogue”.
On that point, Yemen’s delegate, noting that areas under Houthi control are plagued by crime, violence and poverty, said the conversation on confidence-building measures rests on that reality. The militia has intensified fighting in the Hodeidah area, hindering civilian movement. Stressing that the Government and the coalition are working to secure compromised roads for humanitarian access, he requested the United Nations help address the currency devaluation crisis.
Also delivering statements were representatives of the United Kingdom, Poland, Peru, Sweden, Bolivia, Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Côte d’Ivoire, China, Ethiopia and the United States.
The meeting began at 3:27 p.m. and ended at 4:57 p.m.
