UNHCR RELIEF CONVOY FINALLY ALLOWED INTO YEMEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001351

SIPDIS

NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND JBERNDT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL SA YM
SUBJECT: UNHCR RELIEF CONVOY FINALLY ALLOWED INTO YEMEN

REF: RIYADH 1196

Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) A UNHCR official confirmed that a cross border
humanitarian operation finally occurred at the Alp border
crossing on October 11 after being halted earlier due to
logistical problems. Saudi and Yemeni relief trucks met in
"No-Man's Land" where relief items for approximately 4,000
IDPs were transferred to Yemeni trucks. Although the "road
has been cleared" for future cross-border assistance, there
are no additional operations planned.


ASSISTANCE FINALLY REACHES IDPs IN YEMEN
--------------


2. (C) Acting Regional Representative for UNHCR, Dr. Hamdi
Bukhari (strictly protect),confirmed to Poloff that a
cross-border humanitarian operation was successfully
completed after weeks of being stymied by bureaucracy (Ref
A). Although the relief operation was planned for October
10, logistical problems delayed the operation by one day.
Dr. Bukhari mentioned that the formalities of improper travel
documents, including the lack of passports and visas for the
non-Saudi convoy drivers caused the one-day delay. He also
noted that UNHCR's implementing partner in Yemen, the Amal
Foundation, was unprepared to deal with these logistical
formalities and relied on the Yemeni Deputy Minister of
Health to sort out logistical problems.


3. (C) A compromise between the Yemeni and Saudi border
officials allowed Saudi relief trucks stocked with tents,
mattresses, soap, and other necessities to park in "No-Man's
Land" at the Alp border crossing. Here the goods were
unloaded and then reloaded onto Yemeni relief trucks. The
goods are being distributed to approximately 4,000 internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in Mandaba, a town located
approximately 10 kilometers from the Yemen border. According
to Dr. Bukhari, there are enough relief goods to cover the
basic needs of the IDPs in this region. Therefore, no
further relief operations are planned in the near future,
though UNHCR was prepared to coordinate additional relief
operations should they be needed. Confirming that the "road
has been cleared," Dr. Bukhari commented that future
cross-border humanitarian relief efforts looked very
promising.


4. (C) Dr. Bukhari thanked the Embassy for writing a letter
of support to the Saudi government encouraging the SAG's
assistance in facilitating cross-border relief efforts and
access to IDPs by UNHCR and other NGOs.


UN SECURITY ASSESSMENT FORTHCOMING
--------------


5. (C) A UN Security Assessment was suppose to have taken
place before the relief operation to assess the security
situation in the area. However, according to Dr. Bukhari,
the Yemeni authorities completed their own assessment and put
the UN assessment on hold due to immediate security concerns
in the region. Dr. Bukhari believes, however, that clearance
for the UN Security Assessment will be forthcoming from the
Yemeni government.


SAUDI APPROVAL FOR NEW UNHCR
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
--------------


6. (C) Dr. Bukhari informed Poloff that after 16 months, the
Saudi government finally accepted UNHCR's second nomination,
Yacoub al-Hilo, as the new UNHCR Regional Representative
(Note: Riyadh is UNHCR's regional Gulf hub. The Regional
Representative rotates every 4-5 years. End Note). Dr.
Bukhari expects that al-Hilo will be accredited by the Saudi
government sometime in mid-November.
SMITH