UN Says Drought and Floods Exacerbate Economic Instability in Yemen
Daily Brief
The United Nations has confirmed that Yemen faces two extreme climate conditions: severe drought and intense floods. This has exacerbated economic instability in the country, prompting the UN to choose the Marib governorate as a focal point for transitioning from emergency aid to permanent solutions. According to a report by the International Organization for Migration and the Korean International Cooperation Agency, Yemen has experienced two extreme climatic events in recent years—severe drought and intense floods. These have worsened the economic instability facing local communities, and efforts are underway to help these communities adapt to the harsh reality resulting from climate change. The report notes that Yemen is one of the most water-scarce countries globally. Communities in Yemen continue to suffer from the severe effects of drought and water-related disputes. Water scarcity hinders farmers from cultivating crops, leaving families unable to sustain themselves, according to the report.
An oil tanker linked to Israel was seized off the coast of Aden, Yemen, a private security firm said Sunday. The Central Park, managed and owned by Zodiac Maritime, was seized in the Gulf of Aden, private intelligence firm Ambrey said. No group has claimed responsibility. The Central Park seizure comes after a container ship, CMA CGM Symi, owned by an Israeli billionaire, was attacked Friday by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean as Israel wages war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, an American defense official said Saturday. In 2021, a drone attack assessed by the U.S. and other Western nations to have been carried out by Iran killed two crew members aboard Zodiac’s oil tanker Mercer Street off the coast of Oman.
Member of the Supreme Political Council, Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, sent a letter to the Director of the World Food Program, David Beasley, in response to the program’s decision to stop humanitarian aid to Yemen, reported the Houthi-run Saba News Agency on Sunday. Al-Houthi expressed his deep regret over the program’s decision to stop humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people. He called on the Food Program to reconsider the decision and take the necessary measures to ensure the continued provision of humanitarian aid to the needy Yemenis without interruption or reduction. According to UN reports, two-thirds of the country’s 30 million people need humanitarian assistance.
On Sunday, Hamas freed 17 more hostages, including 14 Israelis, in a third set of releases under a cease-fire deal. Red Cross representatives transferred the hostages out of Gaza on Sunday. Some were handed over directly to Israel, while others left through Egypt. Israel was to release 39 Palestinian prisoners later Sunday as part of the deal. A fourth exchange is expected to take place on Monday – the last day of the four-day cease-fire between the enemies. A total of 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. Over 14,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll stands at 1,200.
