ReliefWeb

In response to the statement from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for a ceasefire in Yemen in 30 days last night, Naser Haghamed, CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide, said:

“Tuesday’s statement from the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for a ceasefire in 30 days is welcome but the people of Yemen need far more. We need a ceasefire today – not tomorrow, next week or next month.

The situation in Yemen is absolutely dire. Millions are on the verge of famine, cholera rates are spiking and for the last four nights the fighting near the key port city of Hodeida has raged on throughout the night, terrifying families that a fresh offensive might be about to take place.

Our staff are on the frontline of this crisis in Sana’a and Hodeida. They tell us that women, children and grown men are visibly scared for their lives and their loved ones. The shops have long ago shut their doors and the streets are completely empty by nightfall. Food is running out. There is little or no electricity and after almost four years of war, every day spent under these deeply uncertain conditions can feel like an eternity. While humanitarian NGOs must be granted full access to all of those affected by the conflict, a more permanent solution is needed.

Now is the time for all UN Security Council members to seize the chance and pass a new resolution on Yemen, calling for an immediate ceasefire and bring all warring parties to negotiate a meaningful and lasting solution to the conflict.

The UK Government as ‘pen holder’ on Yemen at the UN must now take the lead. It must urgently put a new draft resolution before the Security Council, calling for an immediate ceasefire. The citizens of Yemen can wait no longer.

The US has shown significant leadership on this issue overnight. The UK government speaks of a commitment to Global Britain, now is the time to show it.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

As one of the UN World Food Programme’s biggest partners, Islamic Relief is currently distributing food assistance in monthly basis to more than 1.3 million people across six governorates in the country.

We are also providing clean water, sanitation and vital health care for more than 234,921 people.