Daijiworld Media Network – United Nations

United Nations, Jul 10: The United Nations has once again sounded the alarm on the worsening situation in Yemen, urging the global community to act decisively to end over a decade of conflict and suffering. At a high-level session of the UN Security Council, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg painted a grim picture of the country’s current condition, stating that while violence continues to threaten lives, the economic crisis has become the most pressing battleground.

Grundberg highlighted the plummeting value of Yemen’s national currency and the collapse of purchasing power, warning that for millions, poverty has become an everyday struggle.

"The little money people do have in their pockets is either falling in value or literally falling apart," he told ambassadors. According to UN figures, at least 17 million Yemenis are facing food insecurity, a number that could rise to 18 million by September if immediate humanitarian assistance is not scaled up. More than one million children under the age of five are battling life-threatening malnutrition, with risks of irreversible physical and cognitive damage. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher added that Yemen is experiencing levels of deprivation not seen since before the UN-brokered truce in early 2022.

Complicating matters further is the fragile regional situation, which Grundberg said is deepening the crisis inside Yemen. He referred to recent attacks by Ansar Allah—also known as the Houthis—on Red Sea commercial vessels, followed by Israeli retaliatory strikes on Yemen’s infrastructure, including ports and power stations. Warning that Yemen must not be dragged further into the regional conflict, Grundberg emphasized that the country’s delicate situation cannot withstand additional shocks. However, he noted that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel has offered a glimmer of hope for diplomatic progress in Yemen.

While external dynamics play a role, Grundberg insisted that Yemen’s peace efforts must not be dependent on them. He called for Yemen to move beyond managing short-term shocks and instead begin laying the foundation for long-term peace and recovery. He cautioned that a military solution would only prolong the suffering and reiterated that political negotiations remain the only viable path forward.

In a rare positive development, Grundberg highlighted a recent agreement in Taiz governorate, where both warring parties decided to jointly manage water supplies. The move is expected to provide clean drinking water to over 600,000 residents and is seen as a step towards reducing humanitarian dependency and building trust between the sides.

Addressing the global community, Grundberg called on the UN Security Council and international donors to continue prioritizing Yemen. He also appealed for the immediate release of detained humanitarian workers, including UN staff, and urged funding support for aid operations still active on the ground. Concluding his remarks, he said, “Yemen’s future depends on our collective resolve to shield it from further suffering and to give its people the hope and dignity they so deeply deserve.”