Yemen continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis, driven by acute hunger, economic collapse, and regional instability, Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, told the Security Council on Wednesday.
While violence remains an immediate threat, he noted that the economy has now become the “most active frontline” of the conflict: the national currency in free fall and purchasing power rapidly declining, poverty is a daily threat.
Broader instability in the Middle East has further worsened Yemen’s situation, Mr. Grundberg said, pointing to recent attacks by the Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea and retaliatory strikes by Israel on key Yemeni infrastructure, including ports and a power station.
“Yemen must not be drawn deeper into the regional crisis that threatens to unravel the already extremely fragile situation in the country. The stakes for Yemen are simply too high,” he said.
Nevertheless, he noted that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel did spark hope that momentum for negotiations in Yemen might resume.
Still, he stressed that Yemen’s peace process must solely depend on regional dynamics.
“Yemen must advance regardless, moving from simply managing shocks and volatility to developing practical steps that lay the groundwork for lasting solutions,” he said.
Without meaningful peace negotiations, Yemen’s humanitarian crisis will only deepen, Mr. Grundberg warned, adding “A military solution remains a dangerous solution that risks deepening Yemen’s suffering,”.
Mr. Grundberg called on the Security Council to continue prioritizing Yemen.
He also reiterated UN calls for all detained humanitarians, including UN staff, and called on donors to ensure sufficient funding to sustain aid organizations on the ground.
“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,” Mr. Grundberg said.