UN / YEMEN WFP STAFF DEATH

The United Nations Secretary-General "strongly condemned" the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member in Houthi detention, and called for an "immediate, transparent and thorough investigation." UNIFEED

• Video Length: 00:00:54
• Production Date: 12 February 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: FARHAN HAQ
• Corporate Name: WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME - WFP
• Subject Topical: UNITED NATIONS STAFF; STAFF SECURITY
• Geographic Subject: YEMEN
• MAMS Id: 3338435
• Parent Id: 3338435
• Alternate Title: unifeed250212g

Description

STORY: UN / YEMEN WFP STAFF DEATH
TRT: 00:54
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 12 FEBRUARY 2025, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE – NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, aerial view, UN headquarters

12 FEBRUARY 2025, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, spokesperson Farhan Haq at the dais
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The Secretary-General strongly condemned the death in detention on 10 February of a World Food Programme colleague who had been arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities since 23 January 2025. The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the Houthi de facto authorities. The Secretary-General has called for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable. In his statement, he said that the continued arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions, is unacceptable. He renewed his call for their immediate and unconditional release.”
4. Wide shot, end of press briefing

Storyline

The United Nations Secretary-General “strongly condemned” the death of a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member in Houthi detention, and called for an “immediate, transparent and thorough investigation.”

The UN staffer died in custody on 10 February after being “arbitrarily detained” by Houthi de facto authorities since 23 January, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters in New York today (Feb 12). “The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations,” Haq said.

Haq added that the Secretary-General renewed his call for the release of “dozens of personnel” from the UN, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and diplomatic missions who remain arbitrarily detained.
“The continued arbitrary detention… is unacceptable,” he stated.