On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, reaffirms the UN and relief agencies’ commitment to the people of Yemen, their lives, their dignity, their protection and their resilience. We stand with and for all people in Yemen, no matter who, no matter where, and NoMatterWhat. “I want to first express my deep sadness for the loss of our WFP colleague who was killed a month ago in At Turbah. I strongly condemn this attack and call for swiftly bringing the perpetrators to justice. On the other hand, I welcome the release of the five UN staff members who were released after eighteen months in captivity. While the entire UN family in Yemen is relieved that our colleagues are free, we also recall that other UN staff are still held against their will in Yemen. We stand in solidarity with them,” said Mr.Gressly.

Gressly said that these incidents are a stark reminder about the challenges and dangers humanitarians face in Yemen. The safety and security of aid workers must never be compromised. “I strongly condemn any violence against them and call upon all parties to ensure their protection. Aid workers’ unrestricted movement, especially that of female aid workers, is crucial for effective and principled humanitarian action. The role of female aid workers is vital, particularly in identifying and addressing the needs of women and children. Movement restrictions that hinder humanitarians’ access to people in need are unacceptable,” he added.

Continuing misinformation and disinformation campaigns are adding to these challenges. They create a hostile environment for aid agencies, deprive affected people of desperately needed assistance, and threaten the safety of beneficiaries and aid workers. It is incumbent upon us all to counter disinformation and ensure the truth prevails. “I’m seizing the occasion of the World Humanitarian Day to extend my profound gratitude towards the relentless efforts of aid workers who labor under such challenging circumstances to bring relief to those severely affected by the crisis and in dire need of our assistance,” he said. They continue to deliver life-saving aid to and protect affected communities NoMatterWhat.

In the first half of 2023, 189 aid agencies in Yemen provided assistance to an average of 9.8 million people monthly (9 UN agencies, 53 international NGOs, and 127 national NGOs). However, relief agencies face a funding crisis that has jeopardized the response. It is four months from the end of the year, and the humanitarian response plan is only 30% funded. "I call on donor countries to act urgently to prevent a catastrophic outcome," Mr Gressly concluded.