Vietnam remains concerned about military escalation in Yemen

Upon addressing an online meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the Yemen situation on March 16, the Vietnamese diplomat called on all sides to observe the UN Secretary General’s call for a ceasefire, thereby marking the end of the war and the resumption of negotiations to achieve a national ceasefire.

Ambassador Anh also urged the wider international community to fully support Yemen and concerned parties in order to comply with international humanitarian law and pay greater attention to protecting both women and children in the conflict.

Moving forward, all parties should press ahead with the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement and the Riyadh Agreement, with the UN playing the role of intermediary in negotiations, the diplomat added.

During the course of the meeting, the country also called on all sides to show restraint and create the best possible conditions in which the political process in Yemen, as well as the wider region, can achieve peace and stability.

It was reported that over 20 million Yemeni people require humanitarian aid, five million are on the brink of famine, and one million others have been forced to leave their homes.

Furthermore, humanitarian activities face increasing difficulties due to a funding shortage and an economic crisis.
Mark Lowcock, UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said financial commitments to Yemen in this year have so far reached only US$1.7 billion.

This figure is less than half of the amount needed for this year’s response plan, and roughly US$1 billion less than last year’s figure, according to the UN official.

He also called on the wider international community to increase its assistance commitments to Yemen.