Shibhaljazeera Net | International News | Economy
United Nations organizations issued a joint statement on funding in Yemen and the humanitarian and economic situation, marking the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The organizations stated that the humanitarian situation for Yemenis remains horrifying.
The organizations, in their statement reviewed by Shibhaljazeera Net, complained about a sharp decline in funding for the humanitarian response plan, saying it is currently funded at less than 28%, the lowest funding level since the beginning of coordinated humanitarian assistance in Yemen. This represents a shortfall of $1 billion compared to 2023, despite a 40% decrease in the requirements for the response plan compared to the previous year.
Additionally, workers with UN organizations told the “Baqsh” Economic Observatory that UN agencies plan to close their offices in Sana’a by the end of 2024, with the exception of UNICEF, due to funding shortages and the organization’s rejection of the detention of staff by the Sana’a government on espionage-related charges.
For several weeks, Yemeni employees have not been going to their offices with various UN agencies in Sana’a, following instructions from these agencies’ management, including those known for their intensive activities in different governorates, such as the World Health Organization and the UN Refugee Agency, according to information obtained by Baqsh.
Some read the UN agencies’ move to close as a form of pressure on the Sana’a government by halting humanitarian programs and assistance, while others view the complaints about funding shortages as the main reason for withdrawing from the challenging working environment in Yemen’s governorates under Sana’a’s control.
In a statement to Baqsh, workers at the German International Cooperation (GIZ) institution revealed that the organization had paid its employees’ salaries through the end of 2024, in preparation for closing its operations in Sana’a, though there has been no official announcement or clarification to many staff members.
Challenges of the Economic Crisis
In their joint statement, the UN agencies highlighted that the ongoing economic crisis in Yemen, the devaluation of the local currency, and the scarcity of income opportunities are causing severe consequences for civilians due to rising costs of basic goods. Public services remain weak and continue to pose a challenge.
The UN agencies stated that they are facing immense pressure across the country, which hinders the delivery and response of humanitarian aid, including bureaucratic obstacles, restrictions on the movement of local female staff, and interference in internal operations and procedures.
The United Nations expressed particular concern over the recent arrests of workers in Sana’a, stating that humanitarian workers must be able to work in a safe environment free from fear of detention, intimidation, or violence.
The statement also mentioned the impact of recent regional escalation on the port of Hudaydah, which is a key logistical lifeline for bringing essential food, fuel, and other goods, as well as 80% of humanitarian aid to the population in northern Yemen. The UN highlighted the catastrophic potential impact of regional escalation.
However, the UN pointed out that not all developments in Yemen are negative. Several roads within the country have been reopened, international commercial flights resumed a few months ago, and the port of Hudaydah is still operating at full capacity.
The agencies urgently called for funding to effectively implement relief efforts and overcome the severe funding shortfall, which has become a major obstacle to the response and raises concerns that Yemen may face another neglected and forgotten humanitarian crisis.
They also called for the reinstatement of an annual event dedicated to donor contributions for Yemen, in support of the UN’s resource mobilization efforts in the country.
Source: United Nations + Boqash + Shibhaljazeera Net