Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Mukhtar Al-Yafei today discussed with Peter Ikayo, Deputy Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen, ways to strengthen joint coordination and enhance humanitarian response mechanisms amid increasing waves of displacement and growing humanitarian needs resulting from the military escalation by the Houthi militia on the western coast.

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Aden, and attended by Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Dr. Sadiq Al-Jamaei and OCHA’s Aden Office Head and official responsible for the Office’s activities in the governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, and Al-Dhale’e, Pauline Gogouna, reviewed a report on humanitarian interventions, funding levels and implementation progress, as well as coordination mechanisms among organizations operating across various sectors. The discussions also addressed efforts to respond to displacement waves, organize and manage data on internally displaced persons (IDPs), and identify their needs to ensure a timely response and the efficient distribution of assistance.

Minister Al-Yafei stressed that the military escalation carried out by the Houthi militia, and the resulting increase in displacement, has exacerbated the humanitarian situation and placed additional burdens on host communities. He underscored the need to intensify urgent interventions, strengthen partnerships with OCHA and international and local organizations, and consolidate efforts to ensure that assistance reaches those in need based on their actual needs.

Minister Al-Yafei also announced the Ministry’s plan to establish an emergency committee in coordination with the relevant ministries and government authorities. The committee would serve as a unified government focal point for coordination with humanitarian partners, setting priorities, monitoring interventions, and addressing field-level challenges facing humanitarian organizations, displaced persons, and host communities. The initiative is intended to strengthen institutional preparedness and improve the efficiency of emergency response.

For his part, the Deputy Head of OCHA in Yemen outlined the Office’s efforts to coordinate the humanitarian response, noting that interventions had included assistance to communities affected by displacement along the western coast, which has impacted approximately 18,000 families. He affirmed the continuation of efforts under a multi-phase response mechanism, beginning with the provision of emergency assistance within 72 hours, followed by cash assistance and shelter services, and then specialized sectoral services. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to organize and regularly update displacement data to ensure that interventions are directed according to actual needs.