United Nations published this video item, entitled “Yemen: The alternative to a truce is the return to hostilities – UN Special Envoy | United Nations” – below is their description.
Security Council briefing by Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen, on the situation in Yemen.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg told the Security Council, “the alternative to the truce is a return to hostilities and likely an intensified phase of conflict with all of its predictable consequences for Yemeni civilians and regional security.”
With the deadline for the truce extension a mere three weeks away, the Special Envoy today (11 Jul) highlighted what has been achieved in the three and a half months of the truce, and discussed some of the obstacles his Office has faced in the implementation. Grundberg also outlined a way forward that includes extending, consolidating, and expanding on the truce to increase the benefits to Yemen’s population and move toward a political settlement.
He said, “to date, the truce has been holding for over three months. It has resulted in a significant reduction in civilian casualties, with the number of civilian casualties reduced by two thirds compared to the three months before the truce began.”
The Special Envoy continued, “due to the sharp decline in hostilities, conflict-related civilian casualties are now mostly due to landmines and unexploded ordnance, which continue to pose a threat to civilians, including children, as they return to areas where hostilities have decreased.”
The renewal of the truce on 2 June has allowed the continued flow of fuel into Hudaydah port, Grundberg said.
He explained, “since the truce renewal, seven fuel ships carrying nearly 200 thousand metric tons of various fuel products have been cleared to enter Hudaydah port. High fuel prices have chipped away at the benefit for Yemeni citizens. But there is no doubt that without the imports facilitated by the truce the situation would be far worse.”
The Special Envoy continued, “the flow of fuel imports has helped to avoid disruptions in essential public services that depend partly on fuel – such as clean water, healthcare, electricity, and transportation – and has made a valuable difference to the daily lives and well-being of Yemenis.”
United Nations YouTube Channel
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