Sana’a — The Regional Director of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the Middle East and North Africa, Fabrizio Carboni, has concluded a visit to Yemen aimed at evaluating the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis and reinforcing the ICRC’s operational engagement.

During his visit, Carboni met with senior Yemeni officials, including the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the urgent humanitarian needs resulting from nearly a decade of armed conflict, economic collapse, and restricted access to essential services. The meetings focused on enhancing coordination, expanding relief efforts, and ensuring protection for civilians in conflict-affected areas.

Carboni emphasized the ICRC’s commitment to neutrality and impartiality, stating that the organization remains dedicated to assisting all Yemenis regardless of political or territorial divisions. “Years of violence have exhausted people’s ability to cope,” he said. “We are here to listen, to understand, and to respond with humanity.”

The ICRC has maintained a continuous presence in Yemen since 1962, working in partnership with the Yemen Red Crescent Society. Its operations include emergency medical support, water and sanitation services, food assistance, and support for detainees and missing persons. According to the ICRC, over 70% of Yemen’s population now relies on humanitarian aid to survive, with more than 80% living below the poverty line.

The visit comes amid growing concerns over access restrictions, security risks for aid workers, and the deteriorating condition of health infrastructure across the country. Carboni’s delegation also visited field sites to observe relief activities and gather firsthand accounts from affected communities.

Yemeni officials welcomed the ICRC’s continued engagement and called for increased international support to address the country’s humanitarian needs. The Foreign Ministry reiterated its appreciation for the ICRC’s role in alleviating suffering and urged for expanded programs to reach underserved regions.

As Yemen enters its eleventh year of conflict, humanitarian organizations warn that the situation remains one of the world’s most complex and protracted crises. The ICRC’s visit underscores the urgency of sustained international attention and collaborative action to protect lives and restore dignity.