Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Madam President,
I would also like to start by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg, Assistant Secretary-General Yahua and Chief Executive Officer Ashing for their briefings.
Madam President,
Since we met a month ago, the situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate. Denmark strongly condemns the attacks by the Houthis in Yemen and against Saudi-Arabia, including attacks against civilian infrastructure and threats to commercial shipping.
Denmark is deeply alarmed by the intensified clashes across several of Yemen’s frontlines and the growing humanitarian suffering it has brought upon the Yemeni people. The Houthis bear full responsibility for this escalation and we call on them to immediately cease all attacks
Iran’s long-standing support to the Houthis enables them to continue their attacks. This not only fuels the crisis and undermines efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, but risks further destabilising the wider region.
In this context, more must be done to effectively contain the Houthis’ destructive capabilities.
We need to remain focused on effectively curbing illegal transfers of arms and military support to the Houthis. To this end, Denmark looks forward to the upcoming sanctions renewal next month, and urge their more effective implementation. The growing ties between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab are also a cause for concern.
Madam President,
This return to fighting is exacerbating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. More than a decade of conflict has left more than 22 million people, over half the population, in need of humanitarian assistance. Millions of Yemenis face hunger, and there is limited access to basic services.
As we have heard, the escalation is inflicting unprecedented harm on the most vulnerable, with children bearing a disproportionate share of the suffering. More than 60% of the displaced people are children, 2,2 million under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished and approximately 140,000 children are out of school due to forced school closures.
The escalation also further constrain the ability of aid organisations to deliver critical services. As several has mentioned this morning, more than 200,000 people have been displaced since August and the number is growing by the day.
We call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers as well as for safe, unimpeded access, so aid can reach those in need, including displaced families and the communities hosting them.
The actions by the Houthis have led the UN to not be able to operate and help the Yemenis in dire need in large part of the country.
Denmark underscores the need for full adherence to international law, including International Humanitarian Law. We welcome the recent release of one WFP worker and reiterate our demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all personnel from the UN, NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions, who have been arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.
Madam President, in closing,
An inclusive political process under the auspices of the UN is the only sustainable solution to this conflict. Denmark fully supports the efforts of Special Envoy Grundberg and we call on the Houthis to immediately halt their attacks, engage constructively and alleviate the profound humanitarian suffering inflicted on the people of Yemen for far too long.
I thank you.
