UN Intervention is Sought in Yemen to Save the Region from Potential Catastrophe

Islamabad/Pakistan ; 06 July 2020 – Yemen Government wrote on 3 July to the UN Security Council (UNSC) and on 1 June 2020, 23 November 2019, 25 June 2019, 10 May 2019, and 6 March 2018 regarding the deteriorating conditions of the floating oil tanker “Safer” moored off the coast of Ras Issa, loaded with 1,140,000 barrels of crude oil, and requesting the urgent intervention of United Nation on conducting the necessary assessment and maintenance works and ensuring the safe extraction of the oil to avert a potential environmental, humanitarian and economic catastrophe in the region.

The Government also mentions the emergency incident onboard the “Safer” oil tanker on 27 May 2020, that involved damages to a pipe onboard the tanker causing the seawater to seep into the engine compartment, which further aggravates the risk of the tanker sinking or exploding.

This issue was stressed on the press statement issued by the UNSC on 29 June, 2020, which underscored the need for the Houthis to immediately grant unconditional access for UN technical experts to assess the tanker’s condition, conduct any possible urgent repairs, and make recommendations for the safe extraction of the oil.

Yemen Government reiterates its warning that an environmental catastrophe is posing an imminent threat to Yemen and the Region more than ever before, and to reiterate the need to chart a separate definitive solution to the “Safer” oil tanker issue, and to address this critical issue independently from the other issues and measures included in the proposals of the Special Envoy for Yemen.

Yemen Government call upon the UNSC to assume its responsibility and convene a special session to discuss this vital issue in order to take the necessary measures to compel the Houthis to comply with our collective calls by immediately and unconditionally grant the UN technical team access to the “Safer” oil tanker to avert one of the biggest environmental catastrophes in the region and the world.