Aden, Yemen, September 10, 2020 — Tamuna Sabadze, Yemen Country Director at the International Rescue Committee said,
“Yesterday’s report by the UN Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen (GEE) is further proof that atrocities continue to be committed by all sides of the war in Yemen without accountability. For the first time, Group Experts have called on the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Yemen to the International Criminal Court to investigate potential war crimes, showcasing the need for parties to be held to account.
“These findings should prompt a major push by the international community to use all diplomatic leverage to bring warring parties to the negotiating table to agree to a nationwide ceasefire and political settlement to the conflict. The US, UK, France, and others, knowing that they continue to authorize the use of their weapons in this conflict, must end all support to warring parties as recommended by the GEE.
“Innocent Yemenis are suffering immensely in a conflict they want nothing to do with. Airstrikes and civilian casualties are again rising, and combined with the spread of COVID-19 and a major reduction in humanitarian funding have created a nightmare scenario in Yemen. The world watches as this triple emergency unfolds in front of our eyes. The war must end now.”
The IRC has been working in Yemen since 2012 and rapidly scaled our programming in 2015 to address greater humanitarian needs caused by the conflict. While the ongoing conflict, COVID-19 pandemic, and restriction of air and seaports create challenges to our operations, the IRC has maintained access to affected populations and continues to provide life-saving healthcare, economic empowerment, women’s protection and empowerment and education programming.