Yemen has been called the world’s worst humanitarian emergency, and perhaps it still is, despite the mounting horrors in Sudan, according to The Guardian newspaper’s review of conflict/war zones of the world.
But since the 7 October 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, global attention has shifted away from Yemen’s domestic crisis and on to its Houthi rebels. Their missile attacks on western shipping in the Red Sea, and on Israel, provoked military reprisals by the US, the UK and others.
Following the ceasefire in Gaza, Houthi rebels shipping attacks have largely ceased. But the wider conflict between the Houthi rebels and the Internationally recognized Government of Yemen continues to cause huge problems, with about 18 million facing food shortages.
UN special envoy Hans Grundberg told the UN security council in January that regional stability depended in part on ending the conflict in Yemen.
Necessary first steps were a nationwide ceasefire, the release of detainees, new focus on repairing ports and economic and financial infrastructure, and the launching of an inclusive political process, Grundberg said.
Two-thirds of Yemen’s food is imported and 90% of medical supplies. The need is great. But as in the past, political will may be lacking.