Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Jamal Amer met on Monday with Acting Resident Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sana’a Armen Yadjarian and Acting Resident Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Sana’a Huijing Yu.
During the meeting, Minister Amer expressed his dissatisfaction with the failure of the UNHCR and IOM offices to fulfill their obligations towards refugees, migrants, and displaced persons, particularly in providing healthcare and basic services.
He called on the acting representatives of UNHCR and IOM not to shirk their humanitarian duties, especially as government agencies and society bear additional burdens as a result of receiving migrants and asylum seekers at a time when the country is suffering from military aggression and a comprehensive blockade. He added, “Yemen is still suffering from the repercussions of the worst humanitarian disaster.”
The Foreign Minister explained that large numbers of migrants are being targeted by gunfire by Saudi border guards, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is not shouldering its humanitarian responsibility to treat the injured, increasing the burden on the Yemeni government.
Yadjarian and Huijing Yu explained that the main reason for the suspension of many activities is the cessation of funding and the lack of a sufficient budget for projects.
They pointed out that most of the activities they undertake are life-saving, and that efforts are being made with donors to resume funding for humanitarian projects related to refugees and migrants.
