In his New Year’s message, Julien Harneis the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen warned that the country remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with more than 19 million people in need.
Mr Harneis suggested that “What Yemen needs is hope, peace, and a genuine chance for recovery. Hope that children can grow up believing in a better future; peace that allows families to return home and rebuild; and a chance for Yemenis to restore their livelihoods and reclaim their future”.
He added “Having witnessed over the years immense suffering, avoidable loss of life, widespread displacement, and hardship that no population should have to endure, I have also been deeply inspired by the extraordinary resilience, strength, and perseverance of the Yemeni people, especially women and youth”
Mr Harneis hoped that this new year must be about ending cycles of crises by supporting the Yemeni people to rebuild a resilient, sustainable future filled with economic opportunities”.
He reiterated that “In 2026, the United Nations will continue to stand firmly with the people of Yemen, with renewed purpose and resolve”, and that the UN priority is clear: to save lives while supporting Yemen’s transition beyond a state of perpetual crisis towards sustainable development solutions.
Mr Harneis called upon global partners to sustain their support for the Yemeni people and to invest more in Yemen’s long-term prospects, so that this year marks the beginning of a path toward rebuilding a resilient, dignified, and prosperous future for all Yemenis.
He also wished to pay special tribute to Yemeni humanitarian workers - the backbone of the United Nations’ operations in Yemen. “These women and men risk their lives every day to serve their communities under the most difficult circumstances”, he said.
He concluded his message remembering " our colleagues" and the dozens of humanitarian workers who continue to be arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, and called for their immediate and unconditional release.