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Minister Al-Zawari: The war has caused currency collapse and service deterioration… The solution starts with economic disengagement between Sana’a and Aden
May 06, 2025
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Zawari, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, affirmed that the war waged by the terrorist Houthi militias has led to the collapse of the national currency and a decline in its purchasing power. This has resulted in an economic downturn that has negatively impacted citizens' lives and caused an almost complete lack of basic services—especially electricity—amid an extremely hot summer.
This came during his meeting this morning in the interim capital, Aden, with Mr. Richard Probst, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Office at the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Mr. Konstantin Grund, Director of the Foundation’s Office in Yemen, Senior Program Manager Mr. Mahmoud Qayah, and Program Director Ms. Mayada Al-Baydani.
Minister Al-Zawari pointed out that the suspension of many grants and aid programs provided by international organizations has exacerbated the suffering of the poorest segments of society, who primarily rely on such assistance.
He also explained that the Houthi militias' threats and the naval blockade have hindered the flow of goods to the Port of Aden and halted oil and gas exports. This has limited the government’s ability to meet its obligations, foremost among them paying salaries and covering operational expenses.
Al-Zawari stressed the need for economic disengagement between Sana’a and Aden and to stop the transfer of foreign currencies and expatriate remittances to banks in Sana’a, emphasizing that the continuation of this situation threatens the stability of the local currency and increases economic deterioration.
During the meeting, the Minister highlighted the major achievements made by the Ministry despite the challenges and scarce resources. These include the development of the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2030), the National Strategy for the Elderly, the Child Protection Strategy, and the National Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security. He also mentioned the Ministry’s upcoming launch of an electronic platform for local and international organizations, calling for more support to complete future programs and plans.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Al-Zawari welcomed the leadership of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and praised it for being among the first institutions to relocate its office from Sana’a to the capital, Aden. He renewed his call for other organizations to take the same step and operate under the umbrella of the internationally recognized legitimate government.
For his part, Mr. Richard Probst expressed his pleasure in meeting Minister Al-Zawari in Aden, considering him a role model, as he is the first minister he has met within Yemen on his first visit. He also praised the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in promoting the values of justice, democracy, and freedom of union work, affirming his foundation’s full readiness to cooperate with the Ministry.
The meeting was attended by a number of Deputy Ministers and specialized General Directors
