Monday, October 2, 2023
 
 

Yemen is the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, Commissioner for Crisis Management Lenarčič says

- Advertisement -

“Yemen is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis,” declared Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, on Wednesday, prior to a Senior Officials Meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The meeting that was hosted in Brussels by the Commission and Sweden heard that while both sides have been hindering humanitarian and UN agencies from providing assistance, the Huthi attempts to tax shipments triggered the latest crisis.
Lenarčič urged parties in the conflict to respect the rules of war and guarantee “safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian organisations”.
“The humanitarian space in Yemen has reached a breaking point where delivery of life-saving assistance is at risk, Lenarčič said in a joint statement with Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation, Peter Eriksson.
The two officials said that the humanitarian community has pledged to “recalibrate humanitarian assistance, including a downscaling, or even interruption, of certain operations, if and where delivery of humanitarian aid in accordance with the humanitarian principles is impossible.”
Yemen has been beset by violence during fighting between the Iran-backed Huthi group based in Sanaa and the Saudi-backed government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
Obstruction by the rebel Huthi authorities in northern Yemen has put the world’s biggest humanitarian lifeline at risk, threatening millions with starvation. According to the UN, more than 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation.
“We must not allow our work to be politicized or militarized by anyone. We must stay and deliver where and when we can. Maximum diplomatic pressure needed,” Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council tweeted on Thursday.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

Latest

Iran protesters mark anniversary of “Bloody Friday”

Residents in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and...

US announces Israel’s acceptance into the Visa Waiver Program

Israeli citizens will be allowed visa-free entry into the...

UN General Assembly 2023: More progress urgently needed on Sustainable Development Goals

The 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) kicked off...

Don't miss

Iran protesters mark anniversary of “Bloody Friday”

Residents in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and...

US announces Israel’s acceptance into the Visa Waiver Program

Israeli citizens will be allowed visa-free entry into the...

UN General Assembly 2023: More progress urgently needed on Sustainable Development Goals

The 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) kicked off...

Europe’s lawmakers see opportunity for regime change a year after Iran’s latest uprising

On September 21, representatives of various political groups held...

The accidental harm-reduction champion

Sweden is set to become the world’s first officially smoke-free country. This will save lives, reduce health costs, and improve the quality of life...

Kazakhstan’s president proposes Constitutional reforms referendum

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed on April 29 holding a referendum in the Central Asian country on the draft amendments to the Constitution and...

How nuclear can help the planet achieve net-zero

Nuclear power offers the world an abundant future if it is embraced, said speakers at an event jointly organised by the New Nuclear Watch...

High gas prices push up electricity cost in EU

High energy prices in recent months have drawn attention from the European Commission, highlighting the importance of energy security, especially in times when global...

EU Commission launches competition for next Green Capital

The European Commission called on December 15 on European cities embarking on the path to sustainability to apply for the 2024 European Green Capital...

Poland’s wind power secures EBRD financing

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on December 16 the bank will lend PLN 175 million (€38.9 million equivalent) for the...

MEPs reach deal with Council on EU-backed energy projects

The updated rules to select which energy projects will receive EU support were informally agreed between Members of the European Parliament and the Slovenian...

New EU framework to decarbonize gas markets, promote hydrogen, cut methane emissions

The European Commission adopted on December 15 a set of legislative proposals to decarbonise the EU gas market by facilitating the uptake of renewable...