Statement by the Delegation of Brazil at the Security Council meeting on the situation in Yemen - August 15th, 2022

Thank you, Mr. President.

Our delegation would like to thank the briefers for their comprehensive and informative presentations.

I would like to start by commending the parties’ commitment earlier this month to extending for a second time the nationwide truce initiated in April. We also thank Special Envoy Grundberg and his office for their sustained efforts in this regard.

As has been repeatedly highlighted, the truce is a significant achievement and each of its provisions delivers real benefits to common Yemenis, including easier access to fuel, medical treatment and family reunions. The cessation of major military operations means that thousands of Yemenis are alive today that would not be otherwise.

The terms agreed to in April must, however, be fully implemented, including the reopening of roads in Taiz. The Special Envoy has presented a number of proposals on this issue, and this Council has repeatedly called upon Ansar Allah to show flexibility. We expect these calls to be heeded.

The truce must also be expanded. There are a number of issues that are currently outside the truce’s provisions that are essential in ensuring stability in the short term, such as the regular payment of government salaries. The expansion proposal presented by the Special Envoy seeks to address this and other issues, and will hopefully form the basis for an enhanced agreement at the end of the current extension.

An expanded truce is also a necessary step towards the ultimate goal of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement, with the meaningful participation of all groups in Yemen’s diverse society, including people with disabilities, youth and women.

If the parties do not build upon the foundation provided by the truce, episodes of violence and escalation will be increasingly common and will eventually reignite the spiral of violence in Yemen.

Incidents such as the July 24th attack on Taiz, which killed one child and injured another eleven are completely unacceptable. Reports of clashes in Shabwa are also very concerning.

Children have paid a terrible price in this war. More than 10,000 children have been killed or injured, and children have also been victims of recruitment, abduction, sexual violence and denial of humanitarian access by different parties to the conflict.

Last April, Ansar Allah signed an action plan on the protection of children. We are dismayed at reports that the recruitment and indoctrination of children is still ongoing in Ansar Allah controlled areas, and we call upon them to urgently comply with the plan of action.

Mr. President,

We have just heard from Ms. Mudawi regarding the humanitarian situation, which is still desperate. We are, however, encouraged to hear that, after months of financial strain, new and significant contributions have been announced. Brazil has sought to do its part, including by making consistent contributions during pledging events over the last few years.

We hope that new contributions will also be forthcoming with regard to other urgent matters, such as the financing of UNVIM and of the SAFER oil tanker response plan.  The delivery of foreign financial aid packages announced in April would also contribute significantly towards fighting food insecurity in Yemen.

We must once again highlight that while humanitarian assistance is fundamental, it is unsustainable in the absence of progress towards economic stability. We urge the parties to refrain from measures that might deepen economic fragmentation and to work towards reestablishing national economic institutions and structures.

In closing, Mr. President, we reiterate that after seven years of conflict the truce represents Yemen’s best chance at achieving peace. We encourage the parties not to waste this opportunity and to put the needs of Yemenis first and engage productively over the next few weeks. There is no shortage of challenges to overcome, and the Yemeni people have suffered far too much, for far too long.

Thank you.