International NGOs working in Yemen welcome the upcoming political consultations in Sweden. After almost four years of conflict in Yemen, up to 14 million people – 50 per cent of Yemen’s population - do not know where their next meal will come from. An estimated 85,000 children under five are presumed to have died from extreme hunger or disease since 2015.

International non-government organisations (INGOs) in Yemen are appalled by the renewed increase in intensity of hostilities in and around Hodeidah city. After calls for a ceasefire by the international community only a matter of days ago this is a deeply disturbing development. All parties to the conflict must immediately stop the violence considering the catastrophic impact of this fighting on the civilians of Hodeidah and across Yemen.

A call for renewal and strengthening of the mandate for the Group of Eminent Experts

United Nations Human Rights Council

39th session

26th September 2018

Item 10, Technical assistance and capacity building – ID on HC report on Yemen

Mr. President,

This statement is made on behalf of Save the Children and 17 civil society organisations, including organisations with current operations in Yemen.

Humanitarian Crisis in Free Fall

After almost four years of conflict, and despite all efforts to halt displacement, hunger and disease, Yemen remains the worst humanitarian crisis on earth. The suffering inflicted on Yemeni people is entirely manmade and will continue to deteriorate rapidly on all fronts without actions to end the violence.

INGOs working in Yemen are extremely worried about the new escalation of fighting in Hodeidah and the closure of key routes between Hodeidah city and the north and east of the country. The humanitarian catastrophe that has been unfolding in al-Durayhimi and the south of Hodeidah governorate will likely spread to the rest of the governorate and trigger another wave of internally displaced persons. Nearly 470,000 people have already fled Hodeidah since June, fearing for their lives amidst airstrikes and fighting on the ground.