Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the level of bureaucracy that impedes the operations of UN agencies and other international organisations in Yemen.

The UK is deeply concerned by ongoing bureaucratic obstructions to the humanitarian response in Yemen, including delays and rejections to visa applications, the issuing of travel permits for periods shorter than required, and inconsistent processes for obtaining project permits. The 2018 and 2019 UN Panel of Experts reports concluded that Houthi authorities routinely obstruct humanitarian access throughout northern Yemen.

We regularly raise obstructions to humanitarian access with all parties, including at the highest levels. The UK also calls on all parties to comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 2451 and support the unhindered flow of humanitarian supplies and personnel into and across Yemen.