Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on October 8, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
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A UN staff member was released from Houthi detention in Yemen, but 53 remain held. The UN calls for their immediate release amid Yemen's humanitarian crisis.
By Jasper Ward
(Reuters) -A United Nations staff member who was recently detained by Yemen's Houthi authorities has been released, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday.
"We continue to urge the de facto authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all UN and humanitarian workers who are supporting the most vulnerable people in Yemen," Dujarric said.
He did not provide information about the timing or circumstances of the detention, which comes after nine other UN personnel were detained by Houthis.
Dujarric said 53 UN staff remain detained by Houthis, adding that some have been held since 2021.
Yemen has been the focus of one of the world's largest humanitarian operations during a decade of civil war that disrupted food supplies. WFP says it provided assistance to 15.3 million people, or 47% of the population, in 2023.
WFP was among the UN offices raided by Houthis in the Yemeni capital Sanaa in August. Eleven UN personnel were detained as a result of the raid.
The raid, which followed an Israeli strike on Sanaa that killed the prime minister of the Houthi-run government and several other ministers, was condemned by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who described the detentions as "intolerable."
Houthi officials said last month that the UN personnel's legal immunities should not shield espionage activities.
The Houthi-run foreign ministry also accused the UN of bias for condemning what they called "legal measures taken by the government against spy cells involved in crimes," while failing to denounce the Israeli attack.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Humanitarian aid refers to assistance provided to people in need, especially during crises, such as natural disasters or conflicts, to alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity.
A UN spokesperson is an official representative of the United Nations who communicates information to the media and public regarding the organization's activities and positions.
International organizations, like the UN, work to promote cooperation among countries, address global issues, and provide humanitarian assistance in times of crisis.
UN personnel play a crucial role in implementing humanitarian programs, providing support in conflict zones, and promoting peace and security worldwide.
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