New York/ 13 February 2025 — In a stark address to the UN Security Council, Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, issued an impassioned plea for immediate action to safeguard aid workers and sustain Yemen’s collapsing humanitarian lifelines. His briefing underscored a spiraling catastrophe, marked by the death of a detained World Food Programme (WFP) staffer, rampant malnutrition, and systemic threats to relief operations.
Key Highlights from the Briefing:
1. Tragedy and Outrage: Aid Worker Death in Houthi Custody
Fletcher opened with a solemn condemnation of the death of a WFP colleague detained by Houthi authorities, demanding accountability and justice. “This Council must unite in grief and outrage,” he stated, emphasizing that attacks on humanitarian personnel violate international law. The incident has intensified scrutiny over rising risks to aid workers in conflict zones.
2. Yemen’s Humanitarian Freefall: By the Numbers
19.5 million people require urgent humanitarian assistance.
64% of Yemenis cannot meet basic food needs—a 3% spike since November 2024.
5 children under 5 die every hour from preventable causes, with acute malnutrition ravaging half of this age group.
3.2 million children are out of school, while 70% of toddlers lack critical vaccinations.
3. Operations Suspended in Sa’ada: A “Last Resort”
Following the January detention of UN staff, operations in Houthi-held Sa’ada Governorate were paused indefinitely. Fletcher warned that aid agencies “cannot operate without safety guarantees,” urging the Council to pressure Houthi leaders for access.
Three Critical Demands to the Security Council:
Immediate Release of Detained Staff: “They serve on your behalf. Protect them.”
Restore Full Funding: With global aid budgets shrinking, Fletcher stressed that “without money, we cannot deliver lifesaving aid.”
Ensure Unhindered Access: Halt policies restricting food, fuel, and medical supplies. “Political decisions must not starve civilians,” he asserted.
