Yemen has endured 5 years of devastating conflict leaving the country highly vulnerable to the risk of COVID-19 among other risks. Less than 50% of health facilities are functioning in Yemen while 19.7 million people are in need of healthcare.
In Syria, Yemen and many other places populations affected by conflicts live under the constant threat of bombing & shelling. They live in the fear of being killed, injured or losing their loved ones, unable to access basic services while vital civilian infrastructure have been reduced to rubbles and humanitarian access is not guaranteed.
On Monday, 18 November, at the United Nations in Geneva, States’ delegations, militaries, UN agencies and civil society will gather to start negotiations on a political declaration against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
For the eight year in a row, international campaigners from all over the world and engaged to promote disarmament convened for a two days meeting bound to share experience, lessons learnt and practices but also to join efforts and face together common challenges.
Humanity & Inclusion was in NY (US), to encourage states to join the joint statement on the use of explosive weapons delivered by Ireland during the debate on conventional weapons of the UN General Assembly’s 1st Committee.
133 states gathered for two days at the Vienna Conference “Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare”. A majority of attendants announced that they were ready to work on a political declaration.
On the eve of the Conference “Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare”, Humanity & Inclusion (HI)’s representatives were in Vienna, on September 30, to finalize preparations. Hence, they had the opportunity to meet with the national delegations before the opening of discussions, and with other members of the NGOS network INEW (International Network on Explosive Weapons).
As conflicts are increasingly fought in cities, civilians represent 90% of the victims. States gather at the Vienna Conference on October 1st and 2nd to find a political solution to the harm caused by bombing in urban warfare.
As conflicts are increasingly fought in cities, civilians represent 90% of the victims. Civilians represented 50% of the victims during WWII, 15% during the WWI. This trend of modern conflicts is unacceptable.