Sanaa — A Yemeni employee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has died in the capital Sanaa following a sudden cardiac arrest, amid growing anxiety among humanitarian staff over a wave of detentions carried out by Houthi authorities in areas under their control.

The deceased, Abdullah Shamsan Al-Akhaly, served as an Information Technology officer at UNHCR’s Yemen country office. According to colleagues, Al-Akhaly had been suffering from severe psychological distress and anxiety in the days leading up to his death, fearing he might be targeted in the ongoing campaign of arbitrary arrests against UN and NGO personnel.

His death comes as dozens of humanitarian workers have reportedly been detained by Houthi forces in recent months, many without formal charges or access to legal representation. The arrests have triggered alarm across the aid community, with several organizations suspending operations or relocating staff to safer regions.

“Abdullah was a dedicated professional and a valued member of our team,” said a UNHCR spokesperson. “His sudden passing is a tragic reminder of the emotional toll this environment is taking on humanitarian workers.”

Sources close to the UN office in Sanaa confirmed that Al-Akhaly had expressed intense fear over being abducted, especially after several of his colleagues were detained in recent weeks. Despite not being directly threatened, the climate of intimidation and uncertainty reportedly contributed to his deteriorating health.

Al-Akhaly’s death has sparked renewed calls for mental health support and protective measures for aid workers in conflict zones. As Yemen’s humanitarian crisis deepens, the loss of experienced staff like Al-Akhaly further strains relief efforts aimed at assisting millions of displaced and vulnerable civilians.