November 20, 2018 — David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, said:
"Today's draft UN security council resolution from the UK government is a vital diplomatic step and the best hope towards the ceasefire that Yemeni civilians urgently need. This resolution drafted by the UK government, though only focused on Hodeidah City and not nationwide, represents a critical development following the breakthrough call by the U.S. government for a ceasefire in Yemen.
"The words of the resolution must be backed up with material action - which is why the UK and US should immediately halt military support for the Saudi / UAE war strategy. Diplomatic pressure should also be applied to Houthi groups to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
The people of Yemen - millions of whom are in life-threatening danger - need the removal of all barriers to humanitarian aid delivery now, not just in Hodeidah, but all across the country. This expansion of aid needs to be coupled with renewal of basic economic activity - for example, payments must resume to civil servants and Sana'a airport should be opened to both humanitarian and commercial traffic."
Learn more about the IRC’s work in Yemen, here.