Article shared by Tom McDermott
See the full statement by 26 aid organizations below the summary of the article. So far no UN agencies have announced similar shutdowns, although much aid provided by UN agencies depends on these NGOs for implementation and distribution.
Click here for the article in the Guardian.
Here is a summary of the article:
Aid groups in Yemen, including SCF, CARE, and many other NGOs, have suspended operations after recent US and UK strikes on Houthi targets, warning further military action could worsen one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. 26 organizations issued a joint statement saying escalation compromises vital aid delivery to millions relying on it to survive.
Some groups halted work over safety concerns after the strikes retaliating for Houthi attacks on shipping. Any damage to ports or delays in imports of food, fuel and medical supplies would prove disastrous for civilians amid economic crisis and reliance on relief.
The NGOs urged diplomacy over military options, protection of civilians and infrastructure, and ceasefires in Yemen and Gaza to prevent regional instability. They cautioned leaders to consider humanitarian implications before actions risking renewed large-scale conflict.
Analysts say strikes re-traumatized Yemenis, recalling the 2015 Saudi-led intervention's start. With children making up most of the humanitarian need, groups suspended operations to underscore that further combat jeopardizes vital aid and millions of lives in an already devastated nation.
Statement by 26 Aid Agencies
We, the undersigned 26 aid organisations operating in Yemen, express grave concern over the humanitarian impacts of the recent military escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains one of the largest in the world and escalation will only worsen the situation for vulnerable civilians and hinder the ability of aid organisations to deliver critical services.
We urge all actors to prioritize diplomatic channels over military options to de-escalate the crisis and safeguard the progress of peace efforts in Yemen. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and safe, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance must be guaranteed. Within the wider regional context, we also reiterate the call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza to save lives and avert further instability across the region.
Nearly nine years of war have left more than 21 million people – over two-thirds of the population – in desperate need of food, water, and lifesaving assistance. Millions of Yemenis face widespread displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services.
The impact of the security threat in the Red Sea is already being felt by humanitarian actors as disruption to trade is pushing up prices and causing delays in shipments of lifesaving goods. In addition, following the US/UK strikes on 12 and 13 January 2024, some humanitarian organisations have been forced to suspend operations over safety and security concerns, while others assess their ability to operate.
Further escalation could result in more organizations being forced to halt their operations in areas where there are ongoing hostilities. Impacts to vital infrastructure, including strategic ports, would have major implications for the entry of essential goods into a country heavily dependent on imports. Scarcity and increased costs of basic commodities, such as food and fuel, will only exacerbate the already dire economic crisis, increase reliance on aid and drive protection risks. All actors have a legal obligation to ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian assistance so that people in need can access aid services.
Despite operating in one of the most challenging environments in the world, humanitarian actors in Yemen remain committed to delivering lifesaving assistance to millions of people. However, our ability to reach the most vulnerable populations is already being impacted by declining global funding cuts and suspensions in food aid which have forced some organisations to significantly scale back their operations.
Political leaders must consider the dire humanitarian implications of military escalation, and refrain from actions that could result in renewed large-scale armed conflict in Yemen. The recent escalation also underscores the risk of a wider regional and international confrontation that could undermine Yemen’s fragile peace process and longer-term recovery.
ENDS
Signed:Action contre la Faim (ACF)
Action for Humanity International
ADRA Yemen
CARE
Caritas Poland
CIVIC
Danish Refugee Council
DirectAid
FHI360
Humanity & Inclusion – Handicap International
International Rescue Committee
INTERSOS
Islamic Relief
Marie Stopes International Yemen
MedGlobal
Muslim Hands
Norwegian Refugee Council
Polish Humanitarian Action
Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
READ Foundation
Relief International
Saferworld
Save the Children
Triangle Generation Humanitaire
Vision Hope International
ZOA – Yemen
Click here for the article in the Guardian.
Here is a summary of the article:
Aid groups in Yemen, including SCF, CARE, and many other NGOs, have suspended operations after recent US and UK strikes on Houthi targets, warning further military action could worsen one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. 26 organizations issued a joint statement saying escalation compromises vital aid delivery to millions relying on it to survive.
Some groups halted work over safety concerns after the strikes retaliating for Houthi attacks on shipping. Any damage to ports or delays in imports of food, fuel and medical supplies would prove disastrous for civilians amid economic crisis and reliance on relief.
The NGOs urged diplomacy over military options, protection of civilians and infrastructure, and ceasefires in Yemen and Gaza to prevent regional instability. They cautioned leaders to consider humanitarian implications before actions risking renewed large-scale conflict.
Analysts say strikes re-traumatized Yemenis, recalling the 2015 Saudi-led intervention's start. With children making up most of the humanitarian need, groups suspended operations to underscore that further combat jeopardizes vital aid and millions of lives in an already devastated nation.
Statement by 26 Aid Agencies
We, the undersigned 26 aid organisations operating in Yemen, express grave concern over the humanitarian impacts of the recent military escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains one of the largest in the world and escalation will only worsen the situation for vulnerable civilians and hinder the ability of aid organisations to deliver critical services.
We urge all actors to prioritize diplomatic channels over military options to de-escalate the crisis and safeguard the progress of peace efforts in Yemen. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and safe, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance must be guaranteed. Within the wider regional context, we also reiterate the call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza to save lives and avert further instability across the region.
Nearly nine years of war have left more than 21 million people – over two-thirds of the population – in desperate need of food, water, and lifesaving assistance. Millions of Yemenis face widespread displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services.
The impact of the security threat in the Red Sea is already being felt by humanitarian actors as disruption to trade is pushing up prices and causing delays in shipments of lifesaving goods. In addition, following the US/UK strikes on 12 and 13 January 2024, some humanitarian organisations have been forced to suspend operations over safety and security concerns, while others assess their ability to operate.
Further escalation could result in more organizations being forced to halt their operations in areas where there are ongoing hostilities. Impacts to vital infrastructure, including strategic ports, would have major implications for the entry of essential goods into a country heavily dependent on imports. Scarcity and increased costs of basic commodities, such as food and fuel, will only exacerbate the already dire economic crisis, increase reliance on aid and drive protection risks. All actors have a legal obligation to ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian assistance so that people in need can access aid services.
Despite operating in one of the most challenging environments in the world, humanitarian actors in Yemen remain committed to delivering lifesaving assistance to millions of people. However, our ability to reach the most vulnerable populations is already being impacted by declining global funding cuts and suspensions in food aid which have forced some organisations to significantly scale back their operations.
Political leaders must consider the dire humanitarian implications of military escalation, and refrain from actions that could result in renewed large-scale armed conflict in Yemen. The recent escalation also underscores the risk of a wider regional and international confrontation that could undermine Yemen’s fragile peace process and longer-term recovery.
ENDS
Signed:Action contre la Faim (ACF)
Action for Humanity International
ADRA Yemen
CARE
Caritas Poland
CIVIC
Danish Refugee Council
DirectAid
FHI360
Humanity & Inclusion – Handicap International
International Rescue Committee
INTERSOS
Islamic Relief
Marie Stopes International Yemen
MedGlobal
Muslim Hands
Norwegian Refugee Council
Polish Humanitarian Action
Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
READ Foundation
Relief International
Saferworld
Save the Children
Triangle Generation Humanitaire
Vision Hope International
ZOA – Yemen
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