Local Editor
Eleven non-governmental organizations including Save the Children and Yemen Peace Project welcomed the Presidential Statement issued by the UN Security Council on 15 June 2017 regarding the situation in Yemen.
In a letter sent to the UNSC on Monday, the NGOs described the move by the UN body as “a critical step towards addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis, protection of civilians and breaking the deadlock in political negotiations.”
But the letter asked for more to be done.
The UNSC’s Presidential Statement called for a durable cessation of hostilities, efforts to improve the access, capacity and safety of Yemen's ports, including the vital installation of cranes into Hodeida, and increased access via Sana'a Airport.
The groups welcomed this “long-overdue leadership from the Council” adding that it “will be vital in offering hope to the millions of Yemeni civilians facing the triple horrors of hunger, cholera and violence”.
However, they added that “the Statement falls short of addressing issues that could offer the peace process real political impetus.”
The NGOs mentioned the shortcomings of the statement including “the worsening economy, a lack of accountability in respect of international humanitarian and human rights law and the ongoing impediments to humanitarian and commercial goods access into and within Yemen, including the closure of Sana'a International Airport and delays at key ports.”
“UNSC members are highlighting this man-made crisis whilst continuing to supply the weapons that fuel the conflict, and reiterate our call for the immediate suspension of all sales of arms that are at risk of being used in the conflict in Yemen,” the groups noted with concern. “The Council must now set a clear timeframe for implementation, including convening an additional meeting within one month to assess progress and work to ensure all measures are fully implemented, while continuing its work towards the adoption of a new Security Council Resolution.”
They concluded their letter by urging Council members to “build on this work and continue the momentum at the UN Security Council”, adding that “words must now be turned into action.”
Edited by Website Team
