Recalling the Secretary-General’s participation in a recent joint pledging event for Yemen with the Governments of Sweden and Switzerland, she said more than 30 donors promised $1.16 billion for humanitarian action. In 2022, aid agencies assisted nearly 11 million people every month. Access and security remain major challenges, funding is in short supply and economic problems are pushing even more people into destitution. Yet, humanitarian agencies too often lack the resources needed to deliver help.

Recognizing the progress gained with the maintenance of the truce after its expiration, Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, told delegates that another improvement has been a 2 million drop in the number of people going hungry in Yemen. Much has been achieved over the past year and now it is time to the next step.” And this requires courage and leadership. “This requires patience and a long-term perspective. “The parties must seize the opportunity presented by this regional and international momentum to take decisive steps towards a more peaceful future,” he said. He pointed to the recent agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic ties as an example of the dialogue and good-neighbourly relations that are important for the region and for Yemen.

Noting that a sustainable political settlement requires a more comprehensive approach, he told Council members he is working with Yemeni parties, as well as regional and international stakeholders. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, said elements of the truce that became effective in April 2022 are being carried out as intense diplomatic efforts go on at various levels to end the conflict. While the overall security situation in Yemen remains stable amidst improved regional relations, the country urgently needs sustained international support to counter a dire humanitarian and economic scenario that has left 17 million people counting on aid agencies to get through 2023, briefers told the Security Council today.

Aegis secure key