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