The Chairman of the Leadership Council meets with the UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs.

New York, NY – September 25, 2023

Today, President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, met with Joyce Msuya, the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Addressing Humanitarian Needs in Yemen

During their meeting, President Alimi and Msuya focused on the critical humanitarian interventions and emergency relief efforts led by UN agencies in Yemen. They emphasized the ongoing coordinated efforts with the international community to secure funding for the 2024 UN response plan. Currently, the plan has only received 28% of the required funding, highlighting a significant gap in resources needed to address the humanitarian crisis.

Human Rights Violations by Houthi Militias

The discussion also addressed severe human rights violations committed by Houthi militias, including a recent wave of abductions targeting dozens of activists and international staff. President Alimi condemned these actions and reiterated the council’s commitment to facilitating humanitarian organizations’ work in Yemen.

Support for Humanitarian Organizations

President Alimi expressed the council and government’s dedication to providing all necessary support to humanitarian organizations. He highlighted the need to alleviate the suffering exacerbated by Houthi terrorist attacks on oil facilities and international shipping routes.

Call for Relocation and Financial Support

Furthermore, President Alimi urged UN relief agencies to relocate their offices to the temporary capital, Aden, to ensure the safety of their personnel. He also advocated for channeling funding through the Central Bank of Yemen. This approach aims to strengthen the national currency and cut off financial resources for the Houthi-led war economy and associated terrorist organizations.

Meeting Attendees

The meeting included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Shaaib Al-Zandani, and Yemen’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abdullah Al-Saadi.

This meeting underscores the urgent need for international cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of relief efforts.

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