Yemen’s Houthi paramilitary has removed critical telecommunications equipment belonging to the U.N., the global body said on Friday, warning that further restrictions on its work would fuel a worsening humanitarian crisis.
– The Houthis, who control areas in north Yemen, entered at least six unstaffed U.N. offices in the capital Sanaa and took telecommunications equipment and several vehicles to an unknown location.
– “This equipment is part of the minimum infrastructure needed by the United Nations to be present and to implement programmes.”
– The World Food Programme had stopped operations in the north of Yemen because of operational challenges, and 365 employees of the U.N. agency would have their contracts terminated at the end of March.
– Funding matters had also contributed to the decision after cuts by some donors.
– The U.N. has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen with some 21 million people needing aid.
– The situation has been aggravated by economic collapse, disruption of health and education services, political uncertainty and funding cuts, the U.N. has said.
– The Houthis have previously called the work of some U.N. agencies a political, military and intelligence operation aimed at subjugating Yemenis – allegations the U.N. denies.
– The U.N. said the Houthis had not let the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service fly to Sanaa for over a month or to the city of Marib for over four months.
– These flights are the only way for NGO workers to enter and exit Houthi-controlled areas and U.N. operations are limited to government-held areas.
– Staff security is worsening with 73 U.N. colleagues now detained since 2021.
– In September the U.N. said it had relocated the base of its resident coordinator for Yemen to Aden, more than a week after at least 18 U.N. personnel were detained in the capital Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthis