Women's Solidarity Network's Five-Point Initiative to Protect Civilians in Hodeidah

Countries: 
Yemen

The Women's Solidarity Network has been following the military advancement towards Hodeida with great concern of the catastrophic consequences and loss of life as a result of the conflict.

The Network hopes that the international community will be able to exercise pressure on the conflict parties to exhaust all peaceful means that will lead into a peaceful withdrawal of armed groups and will save Yemeni lives. However, if the military advancement continues we urgently call on the conflict parties to respect this five-point initiative that sets out the minimum standards to protect civilians: 


1. Secure safe zones within Hodeidah especially areas with high population and areas with available social services;


2. Abide and respect the rules of International Humanitarian Law and Geneva conventions to protect civilians including from being used as human shields, and protect civilian properties including hospitals and schools…etc, in addition to, ensuring the commitment towards implementation of UNSC resolutions including 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace, and Security, as well as, UNSC 2417 (2018) on banning starvation as weapon of war;


3. Facilitate the provision of relief supplies, including the establishment of camps for IDPs, provision of mobile clinics, and the provision of food and water; ensuring the responsiveness of the humanitarian relief to the needs of women, children, and people with chronic diseases such as kidney failure patients and diabetes patients…etc;


4. Opening humanitarian corridors facilitated by the UN or a neutral third party to secure humanitarian relief supplies and allow the safe exist of people including those living in close proximity to the port, and those seeking medical care. In addition to increasing the preparedness of other governorates to welcome IDPs, ensuring that the roads are secured from mines or have clear warning information;

 
5. Support the national NGOs and CSOs to establish emergency plans and humanitarian operation rooms teams, emergency plans, hotlines to help civilians, as well as, ensure that those aid workers are not targeted and are protected.