FM calls UN for exerting pressures on Houthis for salaries

[11/03/2018 02:31]

RIYADH-SABA
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulmalik al-Mikhlafi has called the United Nations for exerting pressures on Iran-backed Houthi militia for a mechanism to collect resources for paying salaries of the government's employees.

In his meeting with the new UN Representative and Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs Liz Grande on Sunday, al-Mikhlafi made it clear that the Houthi militia controls 70 percent of the state's revenues and uses them for financing their war instead of paying salaries of the government employees and this represents an obstacle of paying salaries.

He pointed out the government has set up a budget for 2018 and the budget includes a chapter for paying salaries of the government employees in 12 provinces.

He confirmed that the government will take all necessary measures for easing tasks of the UN representative in Yemen and activities of all other UN organizations and agencies for helping the Yemeni people.

He talked about the humanitarian situation in Yemen over Houthi coup against the state and their war on Yemeni people, pointing out to the government's efforts in facing the humanitarian crisis in the country and its keenness on working with all international organizations for coordinating efforts and mobilizing necessary supply for the Humanitarian Response Plan 2018 for all Yemeni people without exception.

Al-Mikhlafi and the UN Representative discussed issues to be coordinated between the government of Yemen and the United Nation topped by international aid and adopting transparent mechanism for distributing relief and humanitarian assistances to Yemeni needy people.

They also discussed taking decisive and firmed measures for ending Houthi violations against relief activities, seizing convoys of aid, kidnaping UN workers, looting aid and selling them in black markets.

For her part, the UN official confirmed that she will do her best for helping the Yemeni people facing the complicated humanitarian crisis, pointing out that she has a package of priorities for facing re-eruption of cholera and helping poor families.

She also confirmed coordination with the government of Yemen for accomplishing joint tasks and plans and will take the government's notes into consideration.