The Officer-in-Charge of UNMHA, Ms. Mari Yamashita, concluded her official visit to Riyadh on 21 July where she met with Saudi official, Yemeni officials, regional partners, and members of the diplomatic community.

Against the backdrop of UNMHA’s mandate extension of 14 July, the visit provided an important opportunity to discuss recent developments, challenges, and opportunities for UNMHA’s efforts aimed at stabilization and de-escalation in Hudaydah.

Ms. Yamashita held constructive discussions with General Mohammed Eidah, co-chair of the Government of Yemen Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) and RCC members; Ambassador Sarhan bin Cruz Al-Munaikhir, Head of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mission to Yemen; and senior officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In addition, Ms. Yamashita engaged with diplomatic representatives accredited to Yemen based in Riyadh.

Throughout these engagements, discussions centered on critical UNMHA initiatives aimed at maintaining the flow of humanitarian goods through Yemen’s Red Sea ports, promoting long-term stability in Hudaydah, and creating an environment conducive to a Yemen-wide peace process. Ms. Yamashita highlighted UNMHA’s work to these ends, including providing a forum for de-escalating tensions, efforts to open roads across Hudaydah’s frontline, patrolling to the ports, mine action coordination, and community outreach through the implementation of quick-impact projects.