هذا التقرير متاح أيضًا بـ العربية
At a time when international crises are crowding one another out and competing for the world’s attention and resources, Yemen continues to face one of the region’s most complex and protracted crises. More than a decade into the war, the country is still grappling with the consequences of institutional fragmentation, economic decline and deteriorating basic services, while millions of Yemenis face daily challenges related to food security, livelihoods and access to essential services.
With regional tensions escalating over the past two years, particularly in the Red Sea, Yemen has returned to the forefront of international attention as part of the equation of regional security and stability. Given its strategic geographic location, Yemen is a key factor in global trade flows and the security of maritime routes, making its stability an issue that extends beyond its geographic borders.
In this context, the European Union continues to maintain its presence as one of Yemen’s leading international partners. Since the start of the war, it has provided Yemen with 2 billion euros in support, alongside its continued backing for UN efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political settlement that ends years of war and opens the door to recovery and stability.
In this special interview with Noon Post, Gabriel Munuera Viñals, the European Union’s ambassador to the Republic of Yemen discusses the EU’s vision for Yemen’s future, his assessment of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, the impact of regional developments on the course of the Yemeni crisis, the available opportunities for peace, as well as the role of the private sector and young people in the recovery process, and the priorities of the European partnership in the coming years.
Munuera Viñals has held several senior diplomatic posts within and beyond EU institutions. For years, he has led the EU mission to Yemen, closely following the country’s political, economic and humanitarian developments and spearheading the European Union’s efforts to support peace and development tracks and strengthen cooperation with Yemeni institutions and international partners.
In this interview, the European ambassador stresses that Yemen still holds a prominent place among the European Union’s priorities, emphasizing that no lasting stability can be achieved except through an inclusive Yemeni political process, and that moving from crisis management to peacebuilding and development requires concerted local, regional and international efforts alike.
To the interview:
Your Excellency, in light of the rapid transformations the region is witnessing, how does the European Union assess the situation in Yemen today, and where does the Yemeni file stand among your regional and international priorities?
Yemen remains a priority for the European Union. We are actively engaged at the political, humanitarian and development levels. Since the outbreak of the conflict, the European Union has provided more than 2 billion euros in assistance to Yemen, making it one of the country’s largest donors and giving tangible expression to our commitment to Yemen and its people.
At the same time, we recognize that the situation remains extremely difficult. For more than a decade, Yemen has suffered from conflict, institutional fragmentation and economic decline, while recent regional tensions have placed additional pressure on an already fragile situation.
Overall, our position remains very clear: The way forward must be through an inclusive, genuinely Yemeni political process under UN auspices, one that preserves Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and responds to the needs and aspirations of all Yemenis. Only a comprehensive political settlement can return Yemen to a path of stability and normal life, enabling its people to rebuild their lives and their country.
After more than a decade of crisis, what are the main lessons the European Union has drawn from its experience in Yemen? And has the philosophy of intervention shifted from humanitarian response to building the foundations of stability and development?
As in any protracted humanitarian crisis, international aid is essential to save lives, but it cannot be a substitute for functioning institutions. Aid saves lives and must continue, but Yemen also needs stronger institutions, better delivery of basic services, livelihoods, support for economic recovery and, above all, a credible political settlement that leads the country toward real peace.
After more than a decade of conflict, we see a need to mobilize international support for the Yemeni government during this critical phase. That is why the European Union will continue working with international partners, regional actors and the Yemeni government to raise awareness of the importance of achieving stability in government-controlled areas and to strengthen the government’s ability to deliver services, in cooperation with the private sector and civil society organizations.
The world is facing simultaneous crises and growing competition for international resources. To what extent has Yemen been affected by the decline in global humanitarian funding, and does it still receive sufficient attention from the international community?
Yemen has been significantly affected by the global decline in humanitarian funding. Humanitarian needs remain enormous, while the resources available to humanitarian partners have become more limited. Even so, the European Union remains a reliable and steadfast partner for Yemen at all levels. As we have explained before, we have maintained a high level of commitment to Yemen, both in responding to the crisis through development assistance programs and through humanitarian operations.
In fact, the European Union and its member states remain the second-largest donor to Yemen after Saudi Arabia. The European Union also continues to call for Yemen not to become a forgotten crisis. Equally important, funding alone is not enough: Humanitarian workers must be able to do their work safely, independently and without interference or obstruction.
Restrictions on access, insecurity, and the detention of humanitarian workers and UN staff by the Houthis have undermined the ability to deliver assistance directly to those in need. In this context, we reiterate the UN secretary-general’s call and urge the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detainees, including UN staff, NGO workers and diplomatic mission personnel.
How does the European Union balance addressing urgent humanitarian needs with investing in long-term development projects that strengthen Yemenis’ ability to rely on themselves?
The European Union does not see this as a choice between immediate relief and long-term development. Yemen needs both under the current circumstances. A family facing the threat of hunger today needs urgent support, but it also needs a source of income, basic services, education and stability so that it will not be forced to depend on the same aid in the future. That is why we support life-saving humanitarian interventions while also investing in livelihoods, local services, food systems, water, governance and economic recovery.
We also work with UN agencies, international organizations, local authorities and Yemeni partners to ensure that support is better coordinated and more sustainable. The ultimate goal is to move gradually from crisis management to strengthening resilience and recovery. That requires peace, as well as immediate practical support to preserve institutions and strengthen communities’ capacities.
Yemen faces intertwined challenges including food security, water scarcity, climate change and economic deterioration. How do you view the interconnection among these issues, and what are the European priorities for addressing the causes of fragility, not just its consequences?
The European Union sees these challenges as closely interconnected issues, not separate crises. Food insecurity in Yemen is not only the result of a lack of food; it is directly linked to conflict, economic decline and climate change. That is why our response aims to go beyond addressing the symptoms of the crisis. Humanitarian aid remains essential to save lives, but Yemen also needs stronger economic resilience, improved livelihoods and sustainable basic services.
Our support for farmers, fishermen, small business owners, water resource management, local communities and public institutions is a core part of our strategy to address the root causes of the crisis. Climate change is also worsening an already difficult situation, especially in a country suffering from severe water scarcity and heavy dependence on food imports.
For the European Union, food security, climate adaptation and economic recovery are all deeply interconnected issues and must therefore be addressed through a comprehensive approach.
How do you assess the state of Yemen’s economy today? And to what extent can the private sector be a genuine partner in economic recovery and sustainable development efforts?
Yemen’s economy remains under severe and compounded pressure. Years of conflict and institutional division have weakened public finances, disrupted trade, limited service delivery and deepened uncertainty. These pressures are directly reflected in the lives of Yemeni citizens, whose livelihoods and ability to access basic services remain under constant strain.
At the same time, Yemen has an active and resilient private sector. Companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, have continued to keep markets functioning and provide jobs despite extremely difficult conditions. This sector can be an important partner in recovery efforts, which is why the European Union is keen to include it within its broader support for economic recovery and resilience.
Our partnership with the Hayel Saeed Anam Group, including support for youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship, is one example of how different stakeholders can work together to create opportunities for Yemenis. In parallel, our joint efforts with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) help strengthen economic governance by supporting the Central Bank of Yemen and a number of ministries, improving the business environment, and promoting more inclusive and sustainable recovery pathways.
Still, the private sector needs a more enabling and supportive environment, including improved regulatory frameworks, expanded access to finance, effective infrastructure, stronger rule of law and, above all, stability.
As you know, young people make up the largest share of Yemen’s population. How does the European Union view the role of education, vocational training and job creation in reducing fragility and strengthening stability?
Supporting young people is at the heart of the European Union’s work in Yemen. Yemen’s youth represent one of the largest demographic groups in the region, and the country’s future will depend to a great extent on whether young women and men are able to access quality education, acquire skills and obtain the opportunities that enable them to build their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.
Young people are a central pillar of Yemen’s recovery and future. That is why the European Union supports initiatives that help Yemeni youth develop their skills, create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society. Through our cooperation with UNESCO on safeguarding cultural heritage and the creative economy, we have helped young people connect Yemen’s rich cultural legacy with livelihoods, culture and local economic development.
We also support, through the Wathba program, which we co-fund with the Hayel Saeed Anam Group and which is implemented by Rowad and DeepRoot, youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship, while encouraging practical solutions in areas such as the blue economy, services and local production. Through these initiatives, the European Union seeks to empower Yemeni youth to access new opportunities and contribute effectively to Yemen’s recovery process.
What are the main challenges facing the implementation of humanitarian and development programs in Yemen, whether in terms of the operating environment, access to beneficiaries or ensuring sustainable impact?
The operating environment in Yemen is among the most difficult in the world. Humanitarian and development partners face a mix of challenges, including insecurity, administrative restrictions, bureaucratic delays, interference, institutional fragmentation and restricted access in some areas. The Houthis’ continued detention of UN staff and humanitarian workers is particularly unacceptable.
It creates a climate of fear, hampers operations and undermines the trust needed to deliver assistance. Humanitarian and development work must be protected, must adhere to principles and must remain independent.
How does the European Union assess the level of coordination among government bodies, international partners and Yemeni civil society organizations? And what needs to be improved to achieve more effective results?
Effective coordination is essential in Yemen. Government institutions, local authorities, international partners and Yemeni civil society organizations all play important roles, and the impact of our collective efforts depends to a large extent on how well these efforts are aligned.
The European Union recognizes that the level of coordination has improved in some areas, but there is still room for more work to ensure clearer priority-setting, stronger information-sharing, better accountability and less duplication.
Yemeni civil society organizations and local authorities are essential partners in this context. Their deep knowledge of local realities and the trust they enjoy within local communities are crucial to making support more responsive and effective, so their participation should be meaningful, not merely symbolic. To that end, we are working to expand our partnerships with local authorities and Yemeni civil society organizations across multiple sectors.
The Red Sea has recently seen security developments that have affected global trade and international shipping. How do you view the impact of these developments on Yemen, and how important is Yemen’s stability to the security of the region and the world?
Developments in the Red Sea have shown how closely Yemen’s stability is linked to regional and international security. Attacks on commercial vessels threaten freedom of navigation, disrupt international trade and raise the cost of transporting essential goods. For Yemen, which depends heavily on imports of food, fuel and basic commodities, these disruptions have direct consequences for citizens and increase pressure on an already fragile economy. Their effects also extend far beyond Yemen, affecting global trade routes and supply chains.
In response to the Red Sea crisis, the European Union launched Operation Aspides in February 2024 as a purely defensive maritime operation, with a mission to help protect commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and to support crisis response efforts at sea.
Since its launch, Operation Aspides has supported more than 1,960 commercial vessels, helping ensure their safe passage, and has provided protection to more than 650 vessels. The European Union will continue to support freedom of navigation and maritime security, while making it clear that achieving sustainable security in the Red Sea cannot be separated from stability in Yemen and from reaching a sustainable political settlement to the conflict.
How do you assess the prospects for reaching a comprehensive political settlement in Yemen? And do you believe current regional developments create new opportunities for peace, or do they add further complications to the Yemeni landscape?
The prospects for peace remain elusive, but it is our duty, and the duty of the international community, to continue pushing for a political solution to this conflict. Regional developments can create opportunities for dialogue and de-escalation. In this context, the European Union is engaging with all parties with the aim of preventing Yemen from being drawn into the vortex of regional conflicts.
The European Union fully supports the work of UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and his efforts to reach a political settlement to the conflict. We also welcome the recent agreement to carry out the largest prisoner exchange operation and to resume meetings of the Military Coordination Committee. We hope these steps will help rebuild momentum toward a renewed political process that Yemen urgently needs.
Finally, if we look at the next five years, how does the European Union envision the future of its partnership with Yemen? And what does Yemen need most today: greater humanitarian support, broader development investment, or real progress on the political track?
We want to build a strong partnership with the Yemeni government that goes beyond simply providing humanitarian and development assistance. Over the next five years, the European Union seeks to strengthen its partnership with Yemen and gradually move from crisis response to recovery, stability and sustainable development.
We also want to help build institutions, attract foreign investment and develop a vibrant private sector. We would also like to strengthen links between Yemen and its regional surroundings in communications, energy and transport. In all these areas, the European Union will remain a reliable partner and friend to Yemen and the Yemeni people.