On February 10, 2023, the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the tragic death of a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member while in custody of the Houthi forces in Yemen.

Members of the Council expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased and the United Nations.

The statement was made by the Council's president for the month, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong, who highlighted the ongoing and arbitrary arrests by Houthi forces of UN personnel as well as national and international non-governmental organizations and civil society missions.

The Security Council members called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees held by the Houthis, emphasizing that threats against those providing humanitarian assistance are unacceptable.

Council members also expressed serious concern regarding the rapid and severe deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, underscoring the importance of ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian workers and UN staff in the region.

They voiced deep concerns about the risks to essential humanitarian aid delivery and reiterated their demand for the Houthis to respect international humanitarian law to guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded access to aid for civilians in need.

The Security Council warned of the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen amid the absence of a political solution.

They reaffirmed their strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, expressing their solidarity with the Yemeni people.

Furthermore, the Council reiterated its support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in seeking a comprehensive political settlement that is Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned, based on agreed references and consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions.