KL CALLS FOR YEMEN CEASEFIRE
Wisma Putra joins global community in urging parties involved to negotiate for peace
MALAYSIA has expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Yemen, especially the safety of civilians and the mounting casualties among women and children.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said Malaysia called on all parties to agree to a ceasefire in the next 30 days, following United Nations-led consultations to be held in Sweden.
It said Malaysia supported the call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for all parties to engage in the consultations in good faith and highlighted that the only durable solution to the crisis in Yemen was an inclusive and negotiated settlement.
“Malaysia expresses its full support to the efforts by the UN to find a political solution to end the Yemeni conflict,” it said.
Wisma Putra said Malaysia joined the international community in urging the concerned parties in the conflict to immediately refrain from any further assaults so as to honour the ceasefire and to allow access for humanitarian aid.
It said Malaysia urged the parties to adhere to international humanitarian laws.
“All parties involved in the conflict must take the necessary measures to protect children, civilians and civilian objects, and to allow humanitarian access to those in need of assistance.”
Malaysia was concerned about the prolonged conflict as it was devastating and had an unbearable impact on the Yemeni people, said Wisma Putra.
As of last month, it said, the conflict in Yemen had left some 22 million people, approximately 75 per cent of the entire population, in need of humanitarian assistance.
“It is unacceptable that the Yemenis are facing multiple crises, including armed conflict, displacement, risk of famine and outbreaks of diseases, including cholera — creating the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
On the domestic front, Wisma Putra said it was encouraged by the joint effort of Global Peace Mission Malaysia and local newspaper Sinar Harian to establish the “Tabung Bantuan Kemanusiaan Yaman”.
The ministry expressed its fullest support to the initiative and details about the fund can be obtained from the GPM Secretariat at www.billplz.com/ peduliyaman.