Open Letter to the Yemeni Parties to the Conflict from 140 NGOs Restore and Renew the Truce and Build Lasting Peace

23 March 2023

As we mark eight long years of the conflict in Yemen and one year since the start of the now lapsed truce agreement of 2 April 2022, we call on you to maintain sharp focus on reaching a new truce deal and initiating steps towards a real, long-lasting, and inclusive Yemeni peace process. 

The six-month truce shifted Yemen into a new phase, one that could represent the beginning of the end of this conflict. We call on you to ensure that this moment of opportunity grows into lasting peace and promise for the people of Yemen, a new era that would enable them to restore their lives and contribute to building the future of their country. 

Since the truce came into effect last year, fighting, conflict-related displacement and civilian casualties have notably decreased. As organizations actively involved in the humanitarian response across Yemen, we have seen firsthand how the movement of commodities and people has opened, enabling them greater access to lifesaving services like medical care, or simply the ability to reunite with friends and family. We have frequently heard from those we serve, how they have been able to dream again, of a better future and a life of opportunity and growth instead of suffering and stunting. 

This progress is nothing short of extraordinary. It is the result of a growing political willingness to find a peaceful resolution for the people of Yemen and must be acknowledged. But the gains that have been made are fragile. We call on you to protect the people of Yemen by fully respecting International Humanitarian Law and facilitating unencumbered humanitarian access for aid actors to reach communities in need. We also call on you to refrain from using the economy and its institutions to inflict harm that all too often is felt largely by the civilian population. Economic deterioration, divided monetary systems, lack of salaries and rising prices, continue to exhaust millions of Yemeni families. 

At the recent pledging event for the humanitarian response in Yemen, INGOs called on the international community to compliment peace efforts with renewed funding to promote a holistic recovery in Yemen. We were shocked and appalled when less than one third of the funds needed were pledged. We will not stop in our efforts to secure the full amount of funding needed to ensure the safety and dignity of those in need of humanitarian aid. We make that commitment to the Yemeni people. At the same time, all parties to the conflict must work together to ensure a lasting peace and that an equitable recovery from conflict is delivered. The people of Yemen deserve nothing less. 

Any truce and longer-term peace process must be inclusive. CSOs, women, youth and marginalized communities should have a seat at the table. As we move into the ninth year of the conflict in Yemen, we call on you to stand firm for peace. May this Ramadan be a time of introspection and hope for the future of Yemen and may this year’s sad mark of the conflict in Yemen be the last. 

Sincerely, 

International Non-Governmental Organizations: 

1. Medglobal 2. Norwegian Refugee Council 3. INTERSOS 4. Islamic Relief Worldwide 5. Action for Humanity International 6. Save the Children 7. FSE Yemen 8. CARE 9. Polish Humanitarian Action 10. Marie Stopes International Yemen 11. Caritas Poland 12. Danish Refugee Council 13. War Child Canada 14. ADRA 15. READ Foundation 16. OXFAM 17. ACTED 18. ZOA 19. Relief International 20. People in Need 21. War Child UK 22. The Center for Civilians in Conflict 23. Norwegian People’s Aid 24. International Rescue Committee 25. Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion 26. Mercy Corps 27. Qatar Charity 28. Action Contre la Faim 29. Saferworld 30. Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale 31. Vision Hope International 

Yemeni Civil Society Organizations: 

1. Abs Development Organization for Women & Child 2. Democracy School 3. White Hands Association for Women's Development 4. Rawabi AL-Nahdah 5. The Association for the Care and Rehabilitation 6. Nasaem Foundation for Development 7. Red Crescent Division Abs 8. Weaam Empowerment Foundation 9. Make Hope for Development and Relief (MHDR) 10. Musahmah Orgnization for Human Development 11. Ramz Development Foundation 12. Tomorrow Foundation for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Relief 13. FANAR ADEN Foundation for human work 14. Forum of students of Marib ( FSMCD ) 15. Nasaem Foundation for Development 16. Association Trend of Human Development Mahweet Governorate 17. THE HUMANITARAIN FORM YEMEN 18. Angela for Development and Humanitarian Response 19. Rifa Foundation for Community and Human Development 20. Generations Without Qat (GWQ) 21. Enjaz foundation for Development 22. Itar Foundation for Social Development 23. Khadija Foundation for Development 24. I’m Rural woman Organization for Community Development 25. Yemeni National Midwives Association 26. National Foundation for Development and Human Rights 27. Yemeni Development Network For NGO's 28. Sustainable Development Foundation 29. Soul For Development 30. Medical Mercy Foundation 31. Building Foundation for Development 32. Youth Leadership Development Foundation 33. All Girls Foundation for Development 34. Family Counseling & Development Foundation 35. For All Foundation 36. Yemen Women's Union 37. Al-Aman Organization For Blind Women Care 38. Hemmat Shabab Foundation For Development 39. Relief and Development Peer Foundation 40. Rawahel Foundation for Development 41. Wa3i Foundation 42. Benevolance Coalation For Humanitarian Relief 43. Field Medical Foundation 44. Nahda Makers Foundation 45. Civil Alliance for Peace 46. Afaq Shababia Foundation 47. Marib Girls Foundation 48. Alf Ba Civilian & Coexistence Foundation 49. Creative People Solutions Foundation 50. Yemeni Response Council 51. Resonate! Yemen 52. LOOK INSIDE Foundation For Development 53. Jeel Al Bena Association for Humanitarian Development 54. Gusoor for Peace and Coexistence 55. Ejad Foundation For Development 56. Ma'akum Foundation for Development 57. Deem for Development Organization 58. Musanadah Foundation for Development 59. Yemen Peace School Organization 60. Rowad Foundation 61. Togather for Development & Human Rights 62. YNGO's Coalition for Child Rights Care 63. Tatweer For Development and Humanitarian Response Foundation(TATWEER) 64. Yemen Alkhair for Relief and Development Foundation 65. Mysarah for Development 66. Wujoh Foundation for Media and Development 67. Volunteers Foundation 68. Youth Without Borders Organization for Development 69. Sheba Youth Foundation for Development 70. Improve Your Society Organization 71. Millennium Development Foundation 72. Sada Foundation for Building &Development 73. Rasd Foundation For Human Development 74. Watch for Human Rights 75. National Prisoner Foundation 76. Change Horizon Forum 77. Eayha'a Foundation for calm and social Peace 78. Social Development Hodeidah Girls Foundation 79. Basma Foundation for Child Development and Woman 80. The Center for Strategic Studies to Support Women and Child 81. Social Peace Promotion & Legal Protection 82. Peace and Building Foundation 83. Yemeni Food Bank 84. Yemen Medicine Bank 85. Ithraa Developmental Foundation 86. Future Social Charity Association 87. Yemeni Psychological Association 88. Heran Foundation for Local Development 89. Estijabah Foundation for Humanitarian Aid and Relief 90. Manarat Foundation 91. Social Solidarity Foundation for Development 92. National Organization for Health Development 93. Ghadaq for Development 94. Al-Awn Foundation for Development 95. Wogood for Human Security 96. Mercy Wings Foundation for Relief And Development 97. Cadres Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Relief 98. Knoz Yemen for Humanitarian Development 99. Change Horizons Forum 100. Together We Rise Social Association 101. Qarar foundation for media and development 102. Ethra Foundation 103. Eaha’s Foundation for calm & Social Peace 104. Aid response and development organization " 105. Free Media for Investigative Journalism 106. Wama Foundation for Development and Human Rights 107. Wahg Al-hyat Foundation 108. Youth Fingerprint for Relief and Development Organization 109. Namaa Network (YDN)