Yemen on Brink as UN Envoy Calls for Urgent Peace Action

A woman collects water at a camp for people displaced by conflict in Yemen.

Yemen can no longer endure years of conflict, economic collapse, and human suffering, the UN’s top official on the crisis warned the Security Council on Thursday, urging immediate action toward peace and relief.

UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, addressing the Council via videoconference, said the country remains mired in a prolonged political, humanitarian, and developmental crisis, with no sustainable solution in sight.

“Yemen is so much more than the containment of a threat,” Grundberg said. “The cost of inaction is high, and time is not on our side.”

He called on all parties to demonstrate the political will to overcome the current deadlock and move toward a lasting resolution. “We need to see progress toward a comprehensive political solution that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people,” he said.

The humanitarian situation remains dire. Over 17 million Yemenis—nearly half the population—are suffering from acute malnutrition, according to Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. She warned that without sustained international assistance, another six million people could fall into emergency levels of food insecurity.

“Yemeni citizens continue to bear the burden of an economy in freefall,” Grundberg added. He stressed that greater international support is crucial to alleviating the immense economic and humanitarian hardships.

While aid efforts continue under difficult circumstances, the UN response remains underfunded and unable to meet the full scale of need. “We are doing all we can, but the resources are not keeping pace with the scale of the crisis,” Msuya said.

Despite the challenges, Grundberg noted some signs of progress. A key development was the reopening last May of a major road connecting Aden and Sana’a, which had been closed for nearly seven years. This move has facilitated faster and more efficient movement for civilians and goods, raising hope for further confidence-building measures.

“There is real scope to make progress on the economy,” Grundberg said. “With trust and the right tools, there remains hope.”

The envoy marked one year since the arbitrary detention by Houthi rebels—also known as Ansar Allah—of dozens of aid workers, civil society leaders, and diplomatic personnel. He urged Security Council members to use their influence to demand the unconditional release of these detainees.

Meanwhile, while Red Sea attacks and Western military responses have subsided following a ceasefire understanding between the U.S. and Houthi leadership, tensions remain. The Houthis have continued launching attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The UN continues to work toward a roadmap to help Yemen overcome its internal divisions, achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, implement vital economic reforms, and resume an inclusive political process.

“Yemen deserves peace, dignity, and a future free from fear and poverty,” Grundberg concluded. “The time to act is now.”