Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effect of trends in (a) delays and (b) denials of entry visas to Yemen for humanitarian workers on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in that country.

The operating environment in Yemen remains extremely difficult for humanitarian actors, with UN agencies and NGOs regularly facing administrative constraints when delivering aid, including delays to travel permissions and operating agreements, and visa denials.

The UK is in close communication with partners operating on the ground to understand and mitigate against these constraints. We also support the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, who works tirelessly with both parties to the conflict and humanitarian actors to facilitate access and ensure aid reaches those most in need.

The UK also raises humanitarian concerns directly with both parties, calling on them to comply with UN Security Council 2451, drafted by the UK, which requires the parties to facilitate safe, rapid, and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance.