News / Press Releases

Humanity & Inclusion issued the following comments on January 12, 2021 

"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," says Jeff Meer, U.S. Executive Director of Humanity & Inclusion.

"The international community must condemn this decision, and in no way echo it in their own designations. We call 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 delivering aid and care, humanitarian organizations ​and their staff should not be criminalized."

"The population's access to basic goods hangs in the balance," adds Caroline Dauber, Head of Humanity & Inclusion's program in Yemen. "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 Humanity & Inclusion’s capacity to enter into contact with the de facto authority and to negotiate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. What’s more, they will limit Humanity & Inclusion'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.”

Experts available

Humanity & Inclusion experts are available for comment.
Contact Mica Bevington | +1 202-290-9264

Humanity & Inclusion in Yemen 

Humanity & Inclusion has worked in Yemen since 2000, with a pause in operations between 2012 and 2014. Today, we provide direct services to individuals affected by the ongoing conflict, particularly people with disabilities, through rehabilitation care and psychosocial support at public health facilities in and around Sana’a city. Our teams work to ensure that injured Yemenis and people with disabilities have access to urgent and qualitative rehabilitation services in Aden and Abyan governorates. A June 2020 report on the legacy of explosive weapons in Yemen and how these indiscriminate weapons damage infrastructure & impact civilian lives for decades provides a stark illustration of what civilians endure in Yemen.

About Humanity & Inclusion

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent international aid organization. It has been working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster for 39 years. Working alongside people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our actions and voice are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and basic rights. Since its founding in 1982, Humanity & Inclusion (the new name of Handicap International) has set up development programs in more than 60 countries and intervenes in numerous emergency situations. There are eight national associations within the network (Germany, Belgium, Canada, United States, France, Luxembourg, UK and Switzerland), working tirelessly to mobilize resources, co-manage projects and increase the impact of the organization’s principles and actions. Humanity & Inclusion is one of six founding organizations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize and winner of the 2011 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Humanity & Inclusion takes action and campaigns in places where “living in dignity” is no easy task.”