Humanitarian chief says analysis confirms Yemen's descent toward famine amid potential breakthrough in fighting

UNITED NATIONS－The United Nations envoy for Yemen called on Friday for the urgent deployment of UN monitors to observe the implementation of a cease-fire in the strategic port city of Hodeidah and the withdrawal of rival forces－a potential breakthrough in Yemen's four-year civil war.

Martin Griffiths told the Security Council that a speedy presence in the field is "an essential part of the confidence" needed to accompany implementation of Thursday's agreement between Yemen's government and Houthi Shiite rebels reached after eight days of negotiations in Sweden.

Griffiths said in a video briefing from Amman, Jordan that Dutch Major Genenral Patrick Cammaert will lead the monitoring mission and could be in the region "as soon as the middle of next week".

While calling the achievements at the talks "a significant step forward," Griffiths also urged caution saying "what's in front of us is a daunting task… and the hard work is only about to begin".

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since 2014 when the Houthi rebels overtook the capital Sanaa and toppled the government of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthis since 2015.

The conflict has killed over 10,000 people, created the world's worst humanitarian crisis and brought the country to the brink of famine. Fighting has recently intensified near the port of Hodeidah, the "lifeline" for the delivery of 70 percent of Yemen's humanitarian aid and imports including desperately needed food and fuel.

Griffiths said the "ghastly prospect" of famine has made solving the fighting in Hodeidah "both urgent and necessary".

UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told the council after chairing a meeting with the heads of key UN and humanitarian agencies earlier on Friday that "the good news we have heard this week has not yet had any material impact on the millions of people who need assistance."

He said the results of the latest analysis of the crisis "decisively confirm Yemen's descent toward famine", with more than 20 million people－two-thirds of the population－hungry and in need of aid. This includes for the first time 250,000 people facing "catastrophe", which is defined as "starvation, death and destitution", he said.

More than half of the districts across Yemen have slipped into "emergency" conditions, nearly 60 percent more than last year, said Lowcock.

Lowcock called for greater access for aid workers, increased humanitarian funding, and billions of dollars to stabilize Yemen's economy.

He also emphasized that all the elements－cease-fire, access, the economy, funding, and the political process－should be treated as a package, not a menu. "We need more action on all of them."

Speaking of the peace talk achievements, Griffiths said the cease-fire agreement in the province of Hodeidah, which entered into force upon its publication on Thursday, includes "phased but rapid mutual withdrawals from both the three Hodeidah ports and the city".

It also gives the UN a leading role in managing and carrying out inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa which must "happen within days", he said.

The government and the Houthis also reached "a mutual understanding to ease the situation in Taiz" and open humanitarian corridors for people and goods to cross the front lines and reduce fighting in the province, Griffiths said.

Looking ahead, he said both sides agreed to meet again at the end of January and discuss his framework for a political solution to the war that will restore peace to Yemen. He noted that the Houthis "are in agreement with the general tenor of all its elements" while the government has some reservations.

AP - XINHUA