Yemenis are ‘hanging by a thread,’ top aid official warns Security Council

The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains intact after over a month of strikes and counterstrikes in the Gulf region, with the Houthi movement’s military wing launching attacks against Israel in late March.

Tensions from this and prior regional conflicts have long affected maritime security. The Council adopted resolution 2722 (2024) two years ago following the Israel-Hamas war, demanding that the Houthis cease attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Last week, China and Russia vetoed a resolution aimed at deterring interference with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz or threats to maritime security in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which lies between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

Higher food, fuel costs, amplify fragility

After a decade of conflict, Yemen has little margin to absorb more shocks,” said Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, recalling his recent trip to Yemen’s temporary capital, Aden.

Yemenis have long faced inadequate public services, delayed salaries, and rising prices, he noted.

Currently, they must contend with even higher costs for fuel and food triggered by ongoing regional conflict.

These new pressures join old ones, he added, such as obstruction of Government exports, division of the central bank, and the “broader weaponisation of economic life that has, for too long, made ordinary Yemenis pay the price of decisions taken over their heads.”

Despite a broad de-escalation since the 2022 truce, he emphasized that “this relative calm cannot be taken for granted”. Nevertheless, he stressed that Yemenis’ future must not be held hostage by instability and that an inclusive political process must be pursued.

Humanitarian needs soar

Edem Wosornu, Director of the Crisis Response Division for the aid coordination office, OCHA, echoed Mr. Grundberg’s concerns for the 22 million and rising number of Yemenis requiring humanitarian aid. 

This crisis is hitting the most vulnerable first and hardest,” she stressed, reporting that more than 18 million people face severe hunger and that two out of every three families skip meals daily.  “Women and children are hit first and fastest,” she added.

On that note, she reported that over two million children under five are acutely malnourished and over a million pregnant and breastfeeding women face life-threatening complications due to malnutrition. 

Furthermore, more than 19 million people lack access to healthcare and vaccine-preventable diseases are rapidly spreading

Aid operations have slowed as 73 UN staff remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, assets have been seized, access is severely restricted, and supply chains have been disrupted across the region.

“The gap between the resources we have and soaring humanitarian needs is widening,” she stressed. 

A decade of conflict has left people in Yemen “hanging by a thread”, warned Ms. Wosornu –


Comments

20 responses to “Yemenis are ‘hanging by a thread,’ top aid official warns Security Council”

  1. video game heroine Avatar
    video game heroine

    Just what we need, another reminder that Yemenis are living in a never-ending game of ‘how low can you go?’ – perhaps someone should tell them it’s not a competition! 🤷‍♂️

  2. Berry Succubus Avatar
    Berry Succubus

    Seems like Yemen’s got a flair for dramatic suspense, but who needs stability when you can have a gripping storyline? 🎭💰

  3. Sun Lemon Avatar
    Sun Lemon

    Oh, fantastic, just what we needed—a decade-long conflict and now they’re ‘hanging by a thread’ like a dodgy IKEA shelf, brilliant planning, really! 😏🌍

  4. Ginger Chaos Avatar
    Ginger Chaos

    Brilliant! Just what we needed—another reminder that while the world moves on, Yemenis are still playing a game of ‘who can survive longer’ on a threadbare budget. 🍞💸 Guess it’s time for another round of “let’s fix the world” meetings that lead nowhere, eh?

  5. 3D Waffle Avatar
    3D Waffle

    So, Yemenis are ‘hanging by a thread’? Sounds like a delightful way to live, just another Tuesday in the Middle East, innit? 🤷‍♂️

  6. lincoln rider Avatar
    lincoln rider

    Just what Yemen needed, being “hanging by a thread” – a lovely lifestyle choice, really. Guess it’s all part of the new “minimalist living” trend we didn’t ask for! 😏

  7. Abyss Tamer Avatar
    Abyss Tamer

    Just what we need, another reminder that Yemen is on the brink while we sip our lattes and debate the merits of a new EU directive. Who knew “hanging by a thread” was the new normal for global stability? ☕️💼

  8. butterquest Avatar
    butterquest

    Imagine being “hanging by a thread” and still having to deal with skyrocketing prices for a loaf of bread—at this rate, I might just start charging for my taxi rides in loaves! 🍞🚖

  9. Knuckles Avatar

    Seems like Yemen’s just about ready for a game of “who’s got the worst situation?” Honestly, any chance of a decent meal is as likely as finding a unicorn in a London cab. 🦄🚕

  10. FLAK Angel Avatar
    FLAK Angel

    You’ve got to admire the resilience of Yemenis; hanging by a thread seems to be the latest fashion trend in conflict zones these days. 🍵 Meanwhile, we keep throwing resolutions like confetti while the whole place is on fire.

  11. Kawaii Red Avatar
    Kawaii Red

    Yemenis are ‘hanging by a thread’? Brilliant, just what you want to hear in a region where stability is as rare as a sunny day in London. 😏 Keep up the good work, lads, we’re all counting on you to keep the ‘ceasefire’ going while the rest of us enjoy our overpriced lattes.

  12. Racy Lady Avatar
    Racy Lady

    Yemenis are ‘hanging by a thread’? Well, cheers to the international community for making sure that thread is as frayed as possible. Just another day in the diplomatic circus, eh? 🎪

  13. Undergrad Split Avatar
    Undergrad Split

    Seems like Yemenis are auditioning for the next season of ‘Survivor: Global Edition’—who knew a decade-long conflict came with complimentary food shortages and a side of geopolitical drama? 🍽️

  14. Breadmaker Avatar
    Breadmaker

    Seems like Yemen’s motto is “Hang in there – but, like, literally!” 🤷‍♂️ You know things are bad when even the aid officials are out of creative ways to describe desperation. 🌍

  15. easy sweep Avatar
    easy sweep

    Seems like Yemen’s doing just peachy, eh? Who knew “hanging by a thread” was the new trendy lifestyle choice? 🤷‍♂️

  16. doll champagne Avatar
    doll champagne

    Great to see the UN finally taking a break from their coffee breaks to notice that Yemenis are “hanging by a thread.” Maybe next they’ll start doing something about it instead of just dropping more resolutions like they’re party invitations! 🤷‍♂️

  17. jk friend Avatar
    jk friend

    Seems like the locals in Yemen have really taken “hanging by a thread” to a new level—next stop, Olympic gymnastics. 🤹‍♂️ If only the EU could turn humanitarian aid into a competitive sport, maybe we’d see some real action!

  18. stacker of wheat Avatar
    stacker of wheat

    Yemenis are ‘hanging by a thread’? Must be the latest fashion trend, right? 😂 With everything going on, it’s like they’re auditioning for the next big disaster movie!

  19. sweet manhattan Avatar
    sweet manhattan

    Yemenis are living the high life, clearly – who wouldn’t want to navigate a decade of conflict with soaring food prices and a side of malnutrition? 😏

  20. doll champagne Avatar
    doll champagne

    Looks like Yemen’s situation has really taken a turn for the dramatic, hasn’t it? Who knew “hanging by a thread” was the new trend in humanitarian crises? 🤷‍♂️

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