Secretary-General Welcomes Pause in Fighting in Yemen, Urging All Parties to Facilitate Delivery of Humanitarian Aid

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by the Saudi-led Coalition of a unilateral five-day, renewable humanitarian pause set to commence on Sunday, 26 July, at 23:59 (GMT+3).  He urges the Houthis, the General People’s Congress and all other parties to agree to and maintain the humanitarian pause for the sake of all the Yemeni people and that all act in good faith throughout the pause.  The growing number of civilian casualties, including the disturbing reports of civilian deaths in Mokha on Friday evening, in the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe make a pause and an eventual extension an imperative.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to the conflict to suspend military operations during the pause and refrain from exploiting the pause to move weapons or seize territory.  He appeals to all parties to exercise maximum restraint in cases of isolated violations and to avoid escalation.

The Secretary-General urges all parties to facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance to all parts of Yemen, as well as rapid, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance, including medical assistance.

The Secretary-General calls on the parties to the conflict to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and to urgently work with the United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations to bring assistance to millions in need throughout the country.