Middle East

IOM

Yemen: ‘Hanging on by a thread’, UN chief requests funding to meet staggering humanitarian crisis

2 June 2020
Humanitarian Aid

More than five years of conflict have left Yemenis “hanging on by a thread, their economy in tatters” and their institutions “facing near-collapse”, the UN chief told a virtual pledging conference on Tuesday, calling for a demonstration of solidarity with some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. 

UN OCHA/Giles Clarke

FROM THE FIELD: COVID-19-related ‘tragedy’ unfolding in Yemen

2 June 2020
Humanitarian Aid

A “tragedy” fueled by the spread of COVID-19 which is unfolding in Yemen could affect millions of people there, an international UN-backed pledging conference is expected to hear on Tuesday.

© UNFPA Yemen

Life and death for Yemen’s women and girls, as funding evaporates

30 May 2020
Health

In mid-May, just as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Yemen, funding for UNFPA’s life-saving reproductive health services dried up. The agency has been forced to suspend the provision of reproductive healthcare in 140 out of the 180 health facilities, it supports, meaning only 40 now remain.

 

@UNICEF/102665

Yemen: Amid spike in COVID-19 cases, UNICEF airlifts in badly needed health supplies

30 May 2020
Humanitarian Aid

A plane chartered by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) landed at Sana’a airport on Saturday with lifesaving supplies to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in conflict-torn Yemen.  

© UNICEF/Moohialdin Fuad

Yemen: Humanitarians seeking $2.41 billion to keep aid flowing amid COVID-19 pandemic

28 May 2020
Humanitarian Aid

UN agencies and their global partners are seeking $2.41 billion to fight COVID-19 spread in Yemen while continuing to support millions affected by the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

UN Middle East peace envoy warns against unilateral action on all sides, as Israel threatens West Bank annexation

20 May 2020
Peace and Security

The UN’s Middle East peace envoy issued a stern warning on Wednesday against any unilateral action – including an Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank – that could undermine diplomatic efforts to get Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table.

OCHA/David Swanson

Syria: UN relief chief appeals for renewal of lifesaving cross-border aid operation

19 May 2020
Humanitarian Aid

The UN’s top aid official has urged the Security Council to renew a mechanism that provides lifesaving assistance to millions of desperate people in northwest Syria, through cross-border deliveries from Turkey.

United Nations

Renewed trust and cooperation could finally ‘unlock progress’ toward peace in Syria – UN envoy

18 May 2020
Peace and Security

Renewed trust, confidence, and cooperation between international players and Syrians could finally “unlock progress”, putting the country on a political path towards lasting peace, the UN Special Envoy for Syria told the Security Council on Monday.

© UNICEF

'Significant progress' made towards lasting ceasefire in Yemen, UN Special Envoy tells Security Council

14 May 2020
Peace and Security

UN Special Envoy for war-weary Yemen, Martin Griffiths, told the Security Council on Thursday, that he had been in intensive negotiations with the warring parties in Yemen over a lasting peace deal, with "significant progress" made, especially towards making the UN's call for a complete silencing of the guns, a reality.

UNDP Iraq/Abdullah Dhiaa Al-deen

Political will ‘fundamental’ to realizing a more just and prosperous Iraq: UN envoy

12 May 2020
Peace and Security

Despite compounding crises that include the COVID-19 pandemic and plummeting oil revenues, a more prosperous and inclusive Iraq can be achieved provided the political will is there, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday.