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Despite regional escalation, peace is still possible in Yemen: UN envoy

Details: Category: World Hot News; Published: Tuesday, 15 October 2024 16:01; Written by Gentry

Yemen is at risk of being dragged further into the rising conflict in the Middle East, UN Special Envoy for the country Hans Grundberg warned the Security Council on Tuesday.

The crisis is unfolding as Yemeni Government forces, who are backed by a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels – also known as Ansar Allah – continue their nearly decade-long war.

Mr. Grundberg urged the Council “to unite in stopping the bloodshed and supporting every effort to bring peace to a region in desperate need of it.”

Ceasefire and de-escalation

He said the safety of UN personnel has also been increasingly at risk amid the growing regional escalation, which began last year following the start of the war in Gaza.

Ansar Allah has been holding more than 50 UN personnel, civil society members and staff of diplomatic missions in arbitrary detention since June. The 17 UN personnel being held include four women, one of whom is a member of the envoy's team.

“With all this said, I echo the urgent call of the Secretary-General: an immediate ceasefire and regional de-escalation is needed to halt this widening conflict,” he said.

‘Cycle of retaliation’

Mr. Grundberg told ambassadors that Yemen and its people are already feeling the impact of the escalating regional conflict.

Ansar Allah has continued attacks on international ships in the Red Sea and fired missiles and drones at Israel. In response, the United States, with the support of other nations, carried out airstrikes on four Yemeni governorates, while Israel launched airstrikes on the crucial Red Sea port of Huydadah.

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“This cycle of retaliation is pulling Yemen deeper into the regional conflict, jeopardizing its hopes for peace and stability,” he said. “Moreover, it distracts from the urgent need to address Yemen’s own internal crisis.”

Release detained personnel

After more than nine years of war, Yemenis continue to yearn and work for peace, he said, “and yet, they see their space for meaningful engagement and peacebuilding under attack, with arbitrary detentions, death threats, and intimidation, especially in Ansar Allah controlled areas.”

He called on the rebels to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including the UN personnel.

The envoy added that since his last briefing in September, he has engaged in constructive discussions with Yemeni and international stakeholders during visits to New York, Tehran and Moscow.

Peace is possible

“In addition to requesting support for the release of the detained, my engagements have reaffirmed two critical messages that I wish to share with this Council,” he said.

“First, a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Yemen is not only the most viable way forward but more importantly, it is definitely achievable. Second, the Yemeni people require sustained and unified international support, and we must collectively keep the focus on making peace a reality.”

He pointed to the “elements and tools” already available, notably commitments made by the parties towards establishing a roadmap, including a nationwide ceasefire, addressing humanitarian and economic needs, and preparing for an inclusive political process.

Make peace a reality

Despite the escalation, they remain “the essential building blocks for peace in Yemen and the reference points for our discussions with the parties,” he said.

“Second, on the military front, we have relative calm on the frontlines, despite occasional flare-ups that remind us of the fragility of the situation,” he continued.

Furthermore, “we have identified options at the technical level and are working to convince the parties that collaboration on economic issues is the only way to achieve economic viability and stability.”

Mr. Grundberg said his Office “remains steadfast in pursuing every opportunity for peace in Yemen” but added that the parties must demonstrate their commitment to peace through meaningful actions, including the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily detained.

“The need for unity of purpose in and on Yemen has never been greater. I want to underscore again that, despite the broader regional conflict, peace in Yemen is still achievable, and we must remain focused on making this a reality,” he said.

Dire humanitarian situation

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to worsen, both in scale and severity, said Joyce Msuya, a senior official in the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

Hunger continues to rise, and in August, the number of people who do not have enough to eat soared to unprecedented levels. Furthermore, severe levels of food deprivation have doubled in Houthi-controlled areas since last year.

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Cholera also continues to spread. Since March, there have been more than 203,000 suspected cases, and more than 720 deaths. Women and girls account for 53 per cent of cases, and aid partners expect cases to double between now and March 2025.

Aid funding shortfall

Ms. Msuya said the humanitarian community remains determined to deliver at scale for the 18.2 million Yemenis in need, yet a humanitarian appeal for the country is just over 40 per cent funded.

“The food security sector quickly needs an additional $870 million. Without this, an estimated nine million people across Yemen will not receive emergency food aid in the last quarter of 2024,” she warned.

Cholera response in danger

Furthermore, funding for the cholera response has already run out. Health partners have been forced to close 21 out of 75 Diarrhoea Treatment Centres and 97 out of 423 Oral Rehydration Centres.

“It is estimated that 70 per cent of the remaining Diarrhoea Treatment Centres and 42 per cent of the remaining Oral Rehydration Centres will close by December if urgent funding is not received,” she said.

Long-term funding for gender-based violence progammes is also critical, she added.

Concern for detained personnel

The top aid official began her briefing by reiterating the demand to immediately and unconditionally release the UN personnel, NGO staff and civil society members currently detained by the Houthis, along with two other UN staff who have been held since 2021 and 2023.

She echoed the recent statement issued by principals of affected organizations expressing extreme concern about the reported referral to “criminal prosecution” of a significant number of the detainees.

“The potential laying of ‘charges’ against our colleagues is unacceptable,” she said, while “the arbitrary detention of humanitarian personnel and the false accusations against them continue to significantly hinder our ability to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance in Yemen.”

Ms. Msuya said the UN has engaged in continuous diplomatic efforts with the Houthis and others on the detainees and has confirmed that most have had contact with their families or relatives. Additionally, those requiring healthcare have received it.

“We continue to stress that our colleagues must be treated humanely and with full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights, including in regard to judicial guarantees, as applicable,” she said.

UN officials remember brutal 7 October attacks, reiterate need for peace

Details: Category: World Hot News; Published: Monday, 07 October 2024 11:57; Written by Gentry

Senior officials from across the UN system underscored the need for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and across the wider region, in statements marking one year since the brutal 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

“That day left deep scars on individuals, families, and the collective memory of the State of Israel and the world,” said Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, who is based in Jerusalem.

“Today, we mourn for the over 1,200 people, including many women and children, who were murdered in cold blood. Even a year later, the brutality is impossible to comprehend.”

Release all hostages

Mr. Wennesland added that more than 250 people were also abducted from Israel and taken into Gaza, and hostages continue to be held in abhorrent and unimaginable conditions.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who were kidnapped. I carry their anguish with me every day,” he said.

The envoy reiterated his appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups. In the interim, they must be treated humanely and allowed visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

UN News Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

Commit to peace

Adding that the war “continues to shatter lives and inflict profound human suffering for Israelis, Palestinians, and now the people of Lebanon”, he called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure the safety and security of all civilians.

“Violence begets violence, and in these moments of grief, we must reaffirm our commitment to peace,” he said.

In New York, the President of the UN General Assembly lamented that the Middle East “has been witnessing death, destruction and displacement for too long.”

Dialogue and diplomacy

Philémon Yang emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages, and “a return to dialogue with a view to finding diplomatic solutions to the conflicts in the region.”

He added that no sustainable peace will be achieved military, and only a two-State solution based on the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions, can guarantee lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the region.

“I call for all parties - Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah - to abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. I also urgently call for the protection of civilians and the unimpeded access to the much-needed humanitarian assistance,” he said.

Remembering survivors of sexual violence

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, expressed heartfelt solidarity with the victims of the 7 October attacks, their families, and affected communities.

“Today we stand united in remembrance of those who lost their lives and in unwavering support of the survivors who bear the scars of that fateful day, in particular the victims of sexual violence, a heinous crime that has devastating physical and psychological impacts,” she said.

Ms. Patten recalled her mission to Israel earlier this year which concluded that conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, was committed during the attacks in multiple areas across the Gaza periphery, and subsequently against hostages during captivity.

Furthermore, there are reasonable grounds to believe such violence against hostages may still be ongoing.

Call for justice

The UN expert voiced continued concern over the plight of hostages still in captivity and reiterated her call for their immediate, safe and unconditional release. She also urged political leaders and those with influence over the warring parties to step up efforts towards ensuring their release.

“A year since these heinous attacks, victims, survivors, and their families deserve justice. It is of vital importance to ensure fully-fledged independent investigations into all allegations of sexual violence during or in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks. My mandate stands resolute in its offer of support to the Israeli authorities, in the pursuit of justice and accountability”, she said.

Death, devastation, destruction

The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, noted that the attacks were the deadliest in Israel’s history “- a horrific event that foreshadowed the devastation brought on by the Israeli response.”

The staggering toll includes the more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals killed, and nearly 5,500 injured, while more than 41,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, and 96,900 injured, according to the local Ministry of Health. Thousands more are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Nearly everyone in Gaza has been displaced, many multiple times over, and there is nowhere safe to go. Civilians also face extreme deprivation, with limited or no access to healthcare, food, electricity or humanitarian aid, and children have missed an entire year of education.

At the same time, schools sheltering displaced families have been repeatedly shelled, healthcare workers and hospitals have been systematically attacked, and aid convoys have been continually blocked and even shot at, OCHA said.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the use of lethal force by Israeli forces, along with rampant settler violence and home demolitions, have led to a sharp increase in fatalities, widespread destruction and forced displacement.

Commitment to deliver

Over the past year, Israel has blocked humanitarian access both into and within Gaza, crippling aid operations. More than 300 aid workers have also been killed, the vast majority from the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA. OCHA said this is more than in any other single crisis, making Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for aid workers.

Yet despite the immense risks, humanitarians continue to deliver aid when and where they can. They have also vaccinated more than 560,000 young children against polio during the first phase of an emergency vaccination campaign.

OCHA said that although this represents an example of what can be achieved when aid workers can reach people in need, such examples are few.

“It has been 12 months of unrelenting tragedy – this must end,” said Joyce Msuya, UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

“Member States must wield their influence to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and human rights and compliance with the rulings of the International Court of Justice. They must also work to end impunity. An immediate ceasefire and durable peace are long overdue.”