HIGHLIGHTS
UNVIM officially launches, begins inspecting and clearing commercial shipments to Yemeni ports
WFP distributes food to Al Jawf and Ad Dali’ governorates, previously unreachable due to insecurity
UN highlights deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Yemen, appeals for additional resources
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
UN-led peace negotiations between Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG) authorities, Al Houthi representatives, and other stakeholder delegations have been suspended according to media reports; however, parties to the conflict have not withdrawn from the process and continue to meet separately with the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in Kuwait. As of May 14, the special envoy had reported that the delegations had reached consensus on a number of issues, but highlighted that many differences remained unresolved. The UN special envoy had previously reported optimism in achieving a peaceful settlement and continues to call on all parties to work toward a comprehensive solution, reiterating the international community’s continued support of the peace process.
Parties to the conflict began a cessation of hostilities on April 10, ahead of the renewed peace negotiations. Despite the agreement, intermittent clashes continue in some areas, particularly in Al Jawf, Marib, Sana’a, and Ta’izz governorates, according to the UN.
Following a three-day joint visit to Yemen in mid-May by Director of Operations for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) John Ging, Emergency Director of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Rick Brennan, and Deputy Emergency Director of the UN World Food Program (WFP) Gian Carlo Cirri, OCHA released a statement drawing urgent attention to the humanitarian situation in Yemen, highlighting that conditions continue to deteriorate more than one year after the escalation of hostilities. Director Ging emphasized that continued conflict, months of limited imports of essential supplies, and rapidly deteriorating basic services have increased humanitarian needs throughout the country. Mr. Ging also appealed to the international community to increase support for humanitarian activities in response to the complex emergency in Yemen.