Yemen Monitor/Sana’a/Exclusive:
A relief official at the UN office in Sana’a said that many countries have informed the international organization of a gradual reduction in humanitarian aid to Yemen due to the continued detention of aid workers.
The official at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who spoke to Yemen Monitor on condition of anonymity for fear of Houthi reprisals, said that countries such as Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, France, Britain, Japan, and others have informed the UN that they will begin reducing or halting humanitarian aid to Yemen next year.
The official added that most countries monitor the risks posed by the Houthis to the delivery of aid by kidnapping aid workers as shocking and illogical.
The official said: “This will exacerbate the humanitarian situation, as basic needs such as food, water, and healthcare are increasing. Thousands could lose their lives in the first half of this year due to a lack of basic necessities.”
Regarding when aid can be resumed, the official said when the Houthis end “all arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention and ensure that such acts are not repeated in the future.”
He noted that it is difficult to restore confidence in international support for Yemen at a later time due to the increasing humanitarian needs in other countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and many African countries.
In September, the UN announced a reduction in aid in Houthi-controlled areas, and also reduced the priority of broader activities in the Arab world’s poorest country.
The Swedish government announced on November 26, “the gradual cessation” of its development assistance to Yemen.
Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, said this decision was made “against the backdrop of the increasing destructive actions carried out by the Houthis in the northern parts of the country, including the kidnapping of UN staff.”
Since May 2024, the Houthis have launched a campaign of arrests of UN staff and employees of international and local organizations operating in the fields of relief and civil society, on charges of “spying” for the US and Israeli occupation.
In early August, the Houthis raided the UNHCR office, confiscated its keys and seized documents and property, before handing it over later that month.
Sources told Yemen Monitor in August that the number of detainees exceeded 85 employees. The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, said that the whereabouts of the UN and international organization staff abducted by the Houthi group “remains unknown.” Noting that the Houthi authorities “have not allowed physical access to any of them, despite our repeated requests.”
Yemen Monitor tried to reach a comment from the Houthis regarding the new crisis, but a special office for the group to coordinate humanitarian aid did not respond.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate and is already dire, with more than 18 million people in need of assistance, including 14 million women and children, due to conflict, climate change, recurrent diseases, and dire economic conditions.
Approximately 4.5 million people have been internally displaced, many of whom live in camps. Despite a short truce in 2022, which eased tensions, the situation remains dire and requires urgent action.
