Houthi Aid Constraints Affect 10 Mn Yemenis

Saudi-backed aid distribution on the west coast of Yemen (UN)
Saudi-backed aid distribution on the west coast of Yemen (UN)
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Houthi Aid Constraints Affect 10 Mn Yemenis

Saudi-backed aid distribution on the west coast of Yemen (UN)
Saudi-backed aid distribution on the west coast of Yemen (UN)

An estimated 10.1 million (49 percent) of the people in need across Yemen are living in areas affected by Houthi aid access constraints, according to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs.

In a report reviewing the relief work during the past year, the UN indicated that the operating environment in Yemen remains highly challenging, with more than 3,500 humanitarian access-related incidents recorded in 2022.

The bureaucratic impediments continued to delay and hinder the delivery of principled humanitarian assistance.

The report confirmed that security incidents increased throughout 2022, including carjacking, kidnappings, and violence against humanitarian personnel, with 14 abductions and 13 detentions reported by partners during 2022.

The six-month UN-brokered truce (2 April – 2 October 2022) saw decreased civilian casualties and displacement (76 percent), with no airstrikes or significant military operations, and facilitated greater freedom of movement and increased flow of fuel imports, as well as enhanced humanitarian access in some areas.

However, the report noted that low-level clashes continued in frontline areas throughout the truce, including landmines, and devastatingly impacted civilians as movements increased.

More than three-quarters of all displaced persons in Yemen are women and children, and at least 26 percent of displaced households are female-headed.

The report stated that the Yemeni economy continued to weaken, affected by macroeconomic instability, the de facto separation of economic institutions and competing monetary policies, import restrictions, increased costs of food and other essential materials, and the impact of natural disasters.

According to the report of the UN office, the humanitarian operations in Yemen witnessed a significant funding decrease.

By the end of last year, the Humanitarian Response Plan was funded by only 54.6 percent, leaving a gap of $1.94 billion, affecting the provision of humanitarian aid and leading to a decrease in emergency food aid.

The report said that after more than eight years of conflict, millions still suffer from the compounding effects of armed violence, the ongoing economic crisis, and the disruption of public services.

In its review, the UN office warned that food insecurity and malnutrition levels remain high, driven by the primary and secondary effects of the conflict and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions.

It said that an estimated 17 million people faced a crisis or, worse, acute food insecurity between October and December.

The country remains vulnerable to disease outbreaks, including vaccine-preventable ones.

Almost a third of the population is missing routine vaccinations. More than 80 percent of the country’s population struggles to access essential services, such as food, drinking water, and health care.

Less than half of health facilities are functioning, and many that remain operational need essential equipment. Water infrastructure is operating at less than five percent efficiency.

For its part, the World Food Program confirmed that malnutrition in Yemen was a health issue that preceded the beginning of the current conflict in the country, especially among children and pregnant and lactating women.

In the Hajjah governorate and surrounding areas, the war has exacerbated malnutrition.

The report stated that the team that went to the al-Qarah district to address malnutrition faced significant challenges and difficulties, including population dispersal and their continuous movements to search for pasture and work.

They also faced geographical challenges, as the roads were rough, and most of the population lived in mountainous heights.

The team also witnessed several social challenges, customs, traditions, revenge, and internal wars between tribes from time to time.

According to the UN program, the team faced another difficulty in selecting educated community health volunteers (CHVs), as 90 percent of the women in the region were illiterate, and those selected had poor performance levels.

Moreover, social norms in this area prevent women from working in the field, but with continuous follow-up and hard work, the team convinced the community of the CHV’s role in helping children and pregnant and lactating women.

One of the volunteers said, “Thanks to the hard work of YFCA’s team, we were able to implement the blanket supplementary feeding program activities in one of the most hard-to-reach areas.”

They reached 5,279 pregnant and lactating women and 7,011 children under two.



Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)

Christian leaders accused Israeli settlers on Monday of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank, in violence that one said was forcing some to consider quitting the occupied territory.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other Jerusalem-based clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

"These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community ... but also to the historic and religious heritage," the patriarch told diplomats and journalists at a press conference in Taybeh.

Settlers had also attacked homes in the area, he said.

"We call for an immediate and transparent investigation on why the Israeli police did not respond to emergency calls from the local community and why these abhorrent actions continue to go unpunished," he added.

Israel's government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Israel's government had previously said that any acts of violence by civilians are unacceptable and that individuals should not take the law into their own hands.

During the visit, the heads of the churches led locals in prayer as candles flickered in the ruins of the 5th century church of St George. They spoke with residents who described their fears.

B'Tselem and other rights groups say settler violence in the West Bank has risen since the start of Israel's war against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza in late 2023.

Dozens of Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian street attacks in recent years and the Israeli military has intensified raids across the West Bank.

Palestinian health authorities and witnesses said two men, including a US citizen, were killed by settlers during a confrontation on Friday night.

Fears over violence were pushing Christians to leave the West Bank, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, said.

"Unfortunately, the temptation to emigrate is there because of the situation," he added. "This time it's very difficult to see how and when this will finish, and especially for the youth to talk about hope, trust for the future."

Around 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in Jerusalem and in the West Bank, an area that includes many of the faith's most sacred sites including Bethlehem where believers say Jesus was born.

Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war, which Palestinians see as part of a future state.