The UN Security Council met on Feb. 18 to get updates on the situation in Yemen and heard mostly bad news. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths told the council that he was saddened to report that “the conflict in Yemen has taken a sharp escalatory turn with Ansar Allah’s most recent offensive in Marib governorate.” He demanded that the offensive must stop because “It puts millions of civilians at risk.” He added that “The quest for territorial gain by force threatens all of the prospects of the peace process.”
“We hear reports that hospitals and food factories are running out of fuel,” Griffiths went on. “I hope that the government of Yemen will quickly permit the entry of fuel ships to alleviate this particular situation. Although the situation on the ground is indeed deteriorating, I am encouraged, Madame President, to report that there is renewed international momentum behind finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. I join others in particularly welcoming the renewed focus the United States is placing on this conflict and congratulate Mr. Tim Lenderking on his appointment as special envoy of his country.”
UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, addressing the same council meeting, warned that “Yemen is speeding towards the worst famine the world has seen in decades.” He added: “Malnutrition rates are at record highs. Something like 400,000 children under the age of 5 are severely malnourished across the country. Those children are in their last weeks and months.... Across Yemen, more than 16 million people are going hungry – including 5 million who are just one step away from famine.”
