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1. First confirmed #COVIDー19 case in #Yemen.
Where testing capacity (+ much else needed) close to 0.
Where 1 confirmed now --> almost certainly more before, and many more to follow.
Thread on (some of) what needs to happen now. https://twitter.com/WHOYemen/status/1248605645164535815
Where testing capacity (+ much else needed) close to 0.
Where 1 confirmed now --> almost certainly more before, and many more to follow.
Thread on (some of) what needs to happen now. https://twitter.com/WHOYemen/status/1248605645164535815
2. Starting with most recent:
Much ado about #Saudi/ #UAE coalition announced "unilateral ceasefire."
Credible ceasefire (+ certainly COVID19 response) requires all parties to agree to -- and to actually -- halt fighting.
tl; dr: Good --> Not enough. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi/saudi-led-coalition-to-announce-yemen-ceasefire-at-midnight-sources-idUSKCN21Q2WR
Much ado about #Saudi/ #UAE coalition announced "unilateral ceasefire."
Credible ceasefire (+ certainly COVID19 response) requires all parties to agree to -- and to actually -- halt fighting.
tl; dr: Good --> Not enough. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi/saudi-led-coalition-to-announce-yemen-ceasefire-at-midnight-sources-idUSKCN21Q2WR
3. So:
Need #Houthis to stop all attacks - not just across border into Saudi - but to end attacks *in* Yemen, *on* Yemenis.
Since 2014: Houthi attacks in #Yemen have caused far more human suffering than cross-border.
Now: Ending them far more important to #COVID19 response.
Need #Houthis to stop all attacks - not just across border into Saudi - but to end attacks *in* Yemen, *on* Yemenis.
Since 2014: Houthi attacks in #Yemen have caused far more human suffering than cross-border.
Now: Ending them far more important to #COVID19 response.
4. On coalition side:
#Yemen quite used to seeing parties make promises, almost always:
a. Not followed through-on.
Or
b. Mean much less than marketed for.
#Yemen quite used to seeing parties make promises, almost always:
a. Not followed through-on.
Or
b. Mean much less than marketed for.
5. Here:
How will coalition ceasefire extend to various coalition affiliated forces, proxy forces across #Yemen?
Will purported coalition concern re COVID19 extend to other much needed measures (like detainee releases?).
Should.
How will coalition ceasefire extend to various coalition affiliated forces, proxy forces across #Yemen?
Will purported coalition concern re COVID19 extend to other much needed measures (like detainee releases?).
Should.
6.
What #Yemen (desperately) needs for any chance at #COVID19 response is complete + credible ceasefire that pauses fighting across country by all parties.
Given multifaceted nature of conflict; intransigence of many; multiplicity of parties + loyalties, that's a tall order.
What #Yemen (desperately) needs for any chance at #COVID19 response is complete + credible ceasefire that pauses fighting across country by all parties.
Given multifaceted nature of conflict; intransigence of many; multiplicity of parties + loyalties, that's a tall order.
7.
Many previous attempts have failed.
Past weeks fighting escalated.
Easy to be skeptical; give up pushing.
But.
Many previous attempts have failed.
Past weeks fighting escalated.
Easy to be skeptical; give up pushing.
But.
7.
Threat of #COVID19
(+ everything else #Yemen already dealing with)
Luxury not to invest where even a shred of possibility to making an actual ceasefire (+ eventual end to fighting) possible.
Now.
Threat of #COVID19
(+ everything else #Yemen already dealing with)
Luxury not to invest where even a shred of possibility to making an actual ceasefire (+ eventual end to fighting) possible.
Now.
8. Can't emphasize enough how devastating #COVID19 could be for #Yemen:
1/2 health facilities not functioning.
Population exceptionally vulnerable.
Millions hungry.
-->(See effects of malnourishment on body).
*Other* contagious diseases recent history of wild spread.
1/2 health facilities not functioning.
Population exceptionally vulnerable.
Millions hungry.
-->(See effects of malnourishment on body).
*Other* contagious diseases recent history of wild spread.
9. On the thousands of people detained:
Have
*already*
seen
*repeated*
spread of contagious diseases
in #Yemen detention facilities.
Have
*already*
seen
*repeated*
spread of contagious diseases
in #Yemen detention facilities.
10. #Houthi + Yemen gov + #Saudi/ #UAE + affiliated forces:
To show serious about #COVID19 response:
Reduce prison population -- incl arbitrarily held, vulnerable.
Allow access to facilities -- incl may unofficial sites.
Do this urgently --> today? https://mwatana.org/en/protect-the-prison-population
To show serious about #COVID19 response:
Reduce prison population -- incl arbitrarily held, vulnerable.
Allow access to facilities -- incl may unofficial sites.
Do this urgently --> today? https://mwatana.org/en/protect-the-prison-population
11. Emphasizing:
Spread of contagious diseases in #Yemen detention facilities not hypothetical.
Documented cases of diseases spreading amongst prisoners.
No surprise: Conditions appalling. Very regularly overcrowded. Almost never sanitary. Access to health often denied.
Spread of contagious diseases in #Yemen detention facilities not hypothetical.
Documented cases of diseases spreading amongst prisoners.
No surprise: Conditions appalling. Very regularly overcrowded. Almost never sanitary. Access to health often denied.
12. Many (many) civilians held unfairly.
Pushing urgent releases, improving conditions, monitoring access to facilities + to health should be priority for parties and those w/ influence on them.
@OSE_Yemen
Pushing urgent releases, improving conditions, monitoring access to facilities + to health should be priority for parties and those w/ influence on them.
@OSE_Yemen
13. Unfortunately, Stockholm detention file stalled.
(see above re: experience with false promises).
Really hoping #COVID19 provides some perspective -- urgency on why focus on #Yemen detainees is key.
Health of prison population impact on that of general population.
(see above re: experience with false promises).
Really hoping #COVID19 provides some perspective -- urgency on why focus on #Yemen detainees is key.
Health of prison population impact on that of general population.
14. Still waiting (/ hoping) to see Houthis finally implement recent promise to release members of Baha'i community.
(+ hoping extended to others arbitrarily and vulnerably held).
Further steps for all parties needed on detainees here: https://mwatana.org/en/protect-the-prison-population/
(+ hoping extended to others arbitrarily and vulnerably held).
Further steps for all parties needed on detainees here: https://mwatana.org/en/protect-the-prison-population/
15. Hard to grasp how decimated #Yemen's health system has been by war.
Health facilities bombed / shelled / occupied.
Health workers killed / harassed / detained.
Aid / supplies looted / stolen / blocked.
See more: https://mwatana.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Attacks-on-Health-Care-in-Yemen-Report.pdf
Health facilities bombed / shelled / occupied.
Health workers killed / harassed / detained.
Aid / supplies looted / stolen / blocked.
See more: https://mwatana.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Attacks-on-Health-Care-in-Yemen-Report.pdf
16. Sanaa + Aden friends recently said:
*One tried to get a COVID test -> no one (other than man smoking, then shrugging) at facility. Health worker ran away.
*One tried to sort getting potential patient to facility -> public transport only option w/o money (= majority).
*One tried to get a COVID test -> no one (other than man smoking, then shrugging) at facility. Health worker ran away.
*One tried to sort getting potential patient to facility -> public transport only option w/o money (= majority).
17. In #Yemen, for many:
No home to stay in.
Social distancing not remotely possible.
Many (=millions) of Yemenis displaced.
Migrants + refugees from Horn of Africa held in horrific conditions when detained / held by smugglers. https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/15/ethiopians-abused-gulf-migration-route#
No home to stay in.
Social distancing not remotely possible.
Many (=millions) of Yemenis displaced.
Migrants + refugees from Horn of Africa held in horrific conditions when detained / held by smugglers. https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/15/ethiopians-abused-gulf-migration-route#
18. Much (much) more than above to be done.
A final thought:
One of the #COVIDー19 narratives I find most frustrating is that of it being a great leveler, that everyone is at "equal risk."
It's not. They're not.
A final thought:
One of the #COVIDー19 narratives I find most frustrating is that of it being a great leveler, that everyone is at "equal risk."
It's not. They're not.
19. Rather:
#COVIDー19 has shone a spotlight on rampant inequality within communities (incl my home, New York).
And globally: #Yemen and the 30+ million people living in it are some of the most vulnerable, some of the least secure.
#COVIDー19 has shone a spotlight on rampant inequality within communities (incl my home, New York).
And globally: #Yemen and the 30+ million people living in it are some of the most vulnerable, some of the least secure.
20. Pre-COVID, part of #Yemen conflict story already that of inequality --> internally (corruption, war profiteering); regionally (do I need to say? ex: look at who actually fights); globally (wealthy countries, companies fueling, profiting). A wish: Post-COVID world changes.
