The crisis is unfolding as Yemeni government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi rebels – also known as Ansar Allah – continue their nearly decade-long war.
Mr Grundberg urged the Council “om unite in stopping the bloodshed and supporting every effort to bring peace to a region in dire need of it.”
Ceasefire and de-escalation
He said the safety of UN personnel is also increasingly at risk amid the growing regional escalation, which began last year after the start of the war in Gaza.
Ansar Allah has held more than 50 UN personnel, members of civil society and diplomatic mission staff in arbitrary detention since June. Among the 17 UN staff members detained are four women, one of whom is a member of the envoy’s team.
“Now that all this has been said, I join the urgent appeal of the Secretary General: an immediate ceasefire and regional de-escalation are needed to stop this spreading conflict” he said.
‘Cycle of retaliation’
Mr Grundberg told the ambassadors that Yemen and its people are already feeling the impact of the escalating regional conflict.
Ansar Allah has continued attacks on international ships in the Red Sea and fired missiles and drones into Israel. In response, the United States, with the support of other countries, carried out airstrikes on four Yemeni governorates, while Israel launched airstrikes on the crucial Red Sea port city of Huydadah.
“This cycle of retaliation is pulling Yemen deeper into the regional conflict, endangering hopes for peace and stability,” he said. “Besides, it is distracts from the urgent need to address the internal crisis in Yemen.”
Release the arrested personnel
After more than nine years of war, Yemenis continue to yearn for and work for peace, he said, “and yet they see their space for meaningful engagement and peacebuilding under attack, with arbitrary detentions, death threats and intimidation, especially in Ansar Allah. controlled areas.”
He called on the rebels to immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained people, including UN personnel.
The envoy added that since his last briefing in September, he has held constructive discussions with Yemeni and international stakeholders during visits to New York, Tehran and Moscow.
Peace is possible
“In addition to asking for support for the release of the prisoners, my commitments have reaffirmed two critical messages that I want to share with this Council,” he said.
“First, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen is not only the most feasible path forward, but more importantly, it is certainly achievable. Second, the Yemeni people need sustained and united international support, and we must collectively maintain the focus on achieving peace.”
He noted the “elements and instruments” already available, particularly the parties’ commitments to establish a roadmap, including a nationwide ceasefire, addressing humanitarian and economic needs, and preparing of an inclusive political process.
Make peace a reality
Despite the escalation, they remain “the essential building blocks for peace in Yemen and the reference points for our talks with the parties,” he said.
“Second, on the military front, there is relative calm on the front lines, despite occasional flare-ups that remind us of the fragility of the situation,” he continued.
Moreover, “we have identified options at the technical level and are working to convince the parties that cooperation on economic issues is the only way to achieve economic viability and stability.”
Mr. Grundberg said his office “remains steadfast in pursuing every avenue for peace in Yemen,” but added that the parties must demonstrate their commitment to peace through meaningful actions, including the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily are held.
“The need for unity of purpose in and around Yemen has never been greater. I would like to emphasize once again that, despite the broader regional conflict, Peace in Yemen is still achievable, and we must remain focused on making it happen” he said.
Dire humanitarian situation
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate in both scale and severity, said Joyce Msuya, a senior official at the UN Aid Coordination Office. OCHA.
Hunger continues to rise and in August the number of people without enough to eat rose to unprecedented levels. In addition, severe food shortages in Houthi-controlled areas have doubled since last year.
Cholera also continues to spread. Since March, there have been more than 203,000 suspected cases and more than 720 deaths. Women and girls account for 53 percent of cases, and aid partners expect cases to double between now and March 2025.
Shortage of support funding
Ms Msuya said the humanitarian community remains committed to providing large-scale assistance to the 18.2 million Yemenis in need, but that a humanitarian appeal for the country is just over 40 percent funded.
“The food security sector needs an additional $870 million quickly. Without this, an estimated nine million people in Yemen will not receive emergency food assistance in the last quarter of 2024,” she warned.
Cholera reaction at risk
Moreover, funding for cholera control has already run out. Health partners have been forced to close 21 of 75 diarrhea treatment centers and 97 of 423 oral rehydration centers.
“It is estimated that 70 percent of remaining diarrhea treatment centers and 42 percent of remaining oral rehydration centers will close by December if urgent funding is not received,” she said.
Long-term funding for gender-based violence programs is also critical, she added.
Concerns about incarcerated staff
The top aid official began her briefing by reiterating the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of UN personnel, NGO staff and civil society members currently held by the Houthis, along with two other UN staff members who have been held since 2021 and 2023 are held.
She reiterated the recent statement by directors of affected organizations expressing extreme concern over the reported reference to “criminal prosecution” of a significant number of detainees.
“The potential indictment of our colleagues is unacceptable,” she said, while “the arbitrary detention of humanitarian personnel and the false accusations against them continue to significantly hamper our ability to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance in Yemen.”
Ms Msuya said the UN had made ongoing diplomatic efforts with the Houthis and others over the detainees and confirmed that most had been in contact with their families or relatives. Furthermore, those who need health care have received it.
“We continue to emphasize that our colleagues must be treated humanely and with full respect for international humanitarian law and human rights, including with regard to judicial guarantees, where applicable,” she said.