Yemen is already the site of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis after five years of conflict. Every ten minutes a child dies in Yemen as it is. Now COVID-19 could potentially devastate Yemen, a country and people completely unprepared to handle the pandemic, with a shattered healthcare system. 

For this reason, we call on all parties to the conflict to institute an immediate humanitarian ceasefire — and then to use the ceasefire to renew efforts to bring a definitive end to the war. 

COVID-19 is not only a terrible threat to this long-suffering nation: it is also an opportunity for parties to demonstrate cooperation and focus on saving the people of Yemen. 

Saudi Arabia, a party to the conflict, holds the Presidency of the G20  this year. We call on all G20 nations to ensure that a just and sustainable peace is a legacy of Saudi Arabia’s leadership of the G20. 

2.2 million children are experiencing severe malnutrition and 10 million Yemenis are on the brink of famine. All parties to the conflict and all members of the G20 must act immediately to end the suffering and prevent further carnage, this time by a deadly virus. 

Please share this petition widely and continue to build the pressure for peace and for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen.