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Yemen: USG briefs Security Council on humanitarian situation

Dar Saad, Aden, Yemen, March 2019. Credit: OCHA/Giles Clarke

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock briefed the Security Council earlier today on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Mr. Lowcock briefed on five priority issues that he said, when they were acted on two years ago, successfully prevented famine, including the protection of civilians, humanitarian access, funding the relief operation, supporting the economy, and progress towards peace.

Noting that aid agencies are now reaching only about 9 million people a month in Yemen – down from more than 13 million at the start of the year, Mr. Lowcock emphasized that “the window to prevent famine in Yemen is closing. Increasing support for the response plan, starting with fulfilling unpaid pledges but also increasing support back to last year’s levels, is the fastest way to help.”

The UN humanitarian chief also reiterated the need for an urgent political solution to help move Yemen back from the edge of famine.

Mr. Lowcock’s full remarks are available online.