Humanity & Inclusion (HI) warns of grave humanitarian consequences of the U.S. decision to designate Ansar Allah (Houthis) as a terrorist organization

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) warns of grave humanitarian consequences of the U.S. decision to designate Ansar Allah (Houthis) as a terrorist organization.

Caroline Dauber, Head of HI programs in Yemen said:

"The United States​' decision to designate de facto authorities in northern Yemen as "terrorist" groups​ and their leaders as "terrorists" will worsen an already untenable humanitarian crisis. The international community must condemn this decision, and in no way echo it in their own designations. HI calls on​ the newly elected Biden administration to provide clear, applicable and ready-to-use safeguard mechanisms for humanitarian organizations to work in the region​ without interruption. Continuity of critical humanitarian activities ​and many thousands of lives are at risk without a humanitarian exemption. In our efforts to ​save lives by deliver​ing aid and care, humanitarian organizations ​and their staff should not be criminalized.

The population's access to basic goods hangs in the balance: Yemen is particularly dependent on imports of essential products such as food, medicines, and fuel, while the country's economy is devastated by almost six years of conflict. The terrorist designations also hamper the work of international organizations, which already face many obstacles to providing aid. They will limit HI’s capacity to enter into contact with the de facto authority and to negotiate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. What’s more, limit HI’s capacity to use the local banking system, pay medical staff, ​and to buy food and oil, which are essential activities ​for humanitarian programs."

Yemen, where 80% of the population depends on international aid, is already described by the UN as the 'worst humanitarian crisis in the world.' Last November UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned of the "imminent threat of the worst famine the world has seen in decades.”