There is a welcome agreement that the answer in Yemen must be a political deal, which should include all Yemenis who will abide by the yet-to-be-agreed constitution. But the many political factions in Yemen are not yet near such a deal, despite the dramatic claims by United Nations envoy Jamal Bin Omar, who said that it was close but failed at the last minute. Since speaking out, Bin Omar has been harshly criticised for seeking publicity and abandoning the neutrality that the UN must seek to preserve.
The final shape of a deal may change, but it has to be based on the 2012 plan for six provinces from the National Dialogue, which included Al Houthis, Ali Abdullah Saleh’s faction and the government. But despite the lack of current agreement, it is important that the new Saudi operation in Yemen, Restoring Hope, is working with its coalition partners based on the premise that a political deal is possible. This indicates a positive shift from the earlier exclusive focus on military action.
But as the talking continues, it is vital to remember that the people of Yemen are suffering badly. As blockades are enforced and Al Houthis are trying to stop aid convoys moving around the country, the humanitarian situation is fast approaching a major calamity with mass starvation increasingly likely. Food has become very scarce — thanks to the blockades in a country that imports 90 per cent of its food. Water and power are very uncertain causing problems for everyone, like the hospitals that do not have enough fuel to drive their ambulances, and many other goods like medicines are almost unobtainable.
This is where foreign aid can make an immediate difference. It is important that the UAE has offered Dh100 million to the Yemeni Higher Committee for Relief, chaired by Khalid Al Bahah, Yemen’s Vice-President. This follows substantial pledges from Saudi Arabia and other friends of Yemen who recognise that stabilising the increasingly desperate humanitarian situation is vital.
