Bill Text: MI HR0308 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the United States government to publicly and formally call for a solution to Yemen’s current crisis, condemn the fighting and war crimes, and recognize the suffering of the Yemeni people and their need for humanitarian aid.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-09-02 - Referred To Committee On Government Operations [HR0308 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0308-Introduced.html
house Resolution No.308
Reps. Hammoud, Manoogian, Hoadley, Bolden and Kuppa offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Rooted in political issues dating years back, factions in the Republic of Yemen have been in conflict since early 2015. In 2017, Yemen was declared the world’s largest humanitarian disaster by the United Nations (UN) and has been likened to the crises in Iraq, Syria, and South Sudan; and
Whereas, The Yemeni conflict has devastated the lives of many, with more than 24 million people – some 80 percent of the population – in need of humanitarian assistance. In addition, the number of people in acute need increased by 27 percent in 2019, and two-thirds of all districts in the country are already pre-famine. Furthermore, there have been over 10,000 civilian casualties, numerous human rights violations, and several war crimes. Moreover, masses of people have been forced to relocate within the country or leave altogether as refugees; and
Whereas, As COVID-19 spreads rapidly, Yemen now faces an additional crisis. The spread of COVID-19, along with other existing health issues in the country, are exacerbated by the lack of adequate sanitation and clean water. According to UNICEF, only half of health facilities are functioning, and many facilities lack basic equipment and supplies to treat the coronavirus. In June 2020, Yemen’s total cases of COVID-19 almost tripled, with 835 new cases being reported; and
Whereas, The crisis has been compounded by the naval
and air blockade on Yemen, imposed by the Saudi-led coalition, that has
severely restricted the flow of food, fuel, and medicine to civilians. While
the blockade was broken for the first time in three years in February of 2020
to allow critically ill patients to travel, the conflict is
still escalating; and
Whereas, Humanitarian agencies are struggling to support Yemeni citizens while implementing social distancing guidelines. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that 75 percent of the UN’s major humanitarian programs will have to reduce services or close completely in the coming months and only 40 percent of the funding needed to sustain services in 2020 has been received; and
Whereas, World leaders, like the United States, have a moral imperative to work toward an end to the Yemeni conflict and help the country’s people beleaguered by the crisis. The United States has the influence to broker a ceasefire and peace negotiations. It has the resources to ensure people in Yemen receive the aid that they so desperately need; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States government to publicly and formally call for a solution to Yemen’s current crisis, condemn the fighting and war crimes, and recognize the suffering of the Yemeni people and their need for humanitarian aid; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
