UN Security Council member states are “exchanging ideas” concerning a draft presidential statement on guaranteeing the safety of employees working in humanitarian and UN agencies, and on condemning Houthi’s ballistic missiles.
The draft statement also welcomes efforts exerted through the Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations (YCHO), an expanded relief program committing billions of dollars in aid and support for Yemen, launched last month by the Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
UN employees have demanded protection from the abuses of Houthi militias in Yemen, and have also reported attacks committed by the rebels against them.
Those employees called on revitalizing the protocols for the protection of humanitarian relief personnel.
“Our foreigner colleagues working with humanitarian agencies are continuously blackmailed by Houthis through entry permits. Those rebels grant foreign workers three-month entry permits and might not renew them if the employees fail to abide by conditions (set by the) Houthis,” one employee told Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday.
Yemeni Minister of Human Rights Mohammed Askar condemned the fact that humanitarian relief personnel were subject to mistreatment.
“This Houthi behavior constitutes an immense shock to all humanitarian employees operating in Yemen,” the minister told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He added that Houthi insurgents were currently imitating the conduct of ISIS and al-Qaeda.
The text currently discussed by UNSC member states also expresses concern over the level of violence in Yemen, including sporadic attacks against densely populated areas.
“The UN estimates that 22.2 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in Yemen,” it noted.
The text also calls for the protection of schools, hospitals and their employees.
