Instead of heroic attempts, effective actions are needed in Yemen

“The EU must not take heroic attempts or use threats but must work in cooperation with local people to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian action in Yemen”, said Christian Democrat MEP György Hölvényi at Tuesday’s plenary debate with EU High Representative Josep Borrell on the issue of political and humanitarian situation in Yemen.

In his speech, MEP Hölvényi, DEVE coordinator for EPP Group emphasized:, “Today, already 400,000 children are struggling for their lives in Yemen. The income opportunities for families have disappeared. There is a general food shortage, millions do not have access to drinking water, fuel and petrol”. The growing number of out-of-school children in the country is also a serious concern. The EPP MEP warned, “Currently, eight million Yemeni children do not have access to education. If international organizations will be unable to act effectively because of the armed conflict, these children will be the lost generation of Yemen”.

Meanwhile, the bloody conflict which has been ongoing for five years, has so far claimed more than 233,000 lives. Additionally, according to the Open Doors human rights organization’s annual report on religious freedom, Yemen is the seventh most dangerous place in the world for Christians. “Local officials are simply denying distribution of aid to Christians in need. Such a violation of humanitarian principles is not solely a religious but a human rights issue. The EU cannot tolerate this anymore”, said the Christian Democrat politician.

Summing up his speech, MEP Hölvényi pointed out: “There is no single problem that can be highlighted, all of the above mentioned challenges make the normal life impossible in Yemen. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, these turned the country into a living hell”. Since the European Union has neither the military capacity nor the decisive influence on military processes, it must use tools which it has extensive experience in applying to resolve the crisis. “The EU must not take heroic attempts or use threats but must strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian action because this is a key issue in maintaining Europe’s credibility in the region”, the MEP concluded.