Yemen: UN launches crowdfunding campaign to head off decaying oil tanker threat
The goal is to raise funds to start the $80 million emergency operation to transfer oil from the FSO Safer to a temporary vessel.
The FSO Safer is moored off Yemen’s Red Sea coast and contains more than a million barrels of oil. The tanker is beyond repair, and the fear is that it could soon break apart or explode.
At 376 metres long, it is among the largest tankers in the world, and holds roughly four times the crude oil that was spilled during the Exxon Valdez disaster, off Alaska, in 1989.
The Safer has been anchored just a few miles off the Yemen coast for more than 30 years, but the war between the pro-Government coalition and Houthi rebels saw offloading from the vessel, as well as maintenance, grind to a halt in 2015.
Funding shortfall
The UN is ready to implement the emergency rescue operation but is delayed because of insufficient funding for the transfer operation.
Some three-quarters of the money required has been received, following the announcement of a $10 million pledge by Saudi Arabia this week. The United States is also working towards a $10 million contribution.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, David Gressly, launched the crowdfunding campaign, which encourages people everywhere to contribute towards raising $5 million in individual donations by the end of this month so that work can start in July.
The transfer operation is part of a two-track plan, with an overall cost of $144 million, which also involves installing a replacement vessel for the FSO Safer.
Roads proposal
Meanwhile, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, continues his engagement in the wake of the recent extension of the two-month truce between the Government and Houthi rebels.
The envoy visited the Houthi stronghold Sana’a last week to discuss issues, including the proposal for the phased re-opening of key roads in Taiz and other governorates.
The UN proposal takes into consideration various concerns expressed by both sides during discussions that started in Amman, Jordan, last month.
Mr. Grundberg is expecting an imminent response from Sana’a on the proposal.
The opening of roads is a measure to alleviate the suffering of Yemenis, as well as bring about some sense of normalization and facilitate freedom of movement for civilians, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York .
“Mr. Grundberg remains committed to working with the parties to implement all elements of the truce to continue delivering its tangible benefits to Yemeni women, men and children, as well as engaging on next steps to consolidate the opportunities provided by the truce to put Yemen on a pathway to peace,” he said.
© UN News (2022) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: UN News
Where next?
Browse related news topics:
Read the latest news stories:
- Peace or war, midwives keep delivering Sunday, May 05, 2024
- Trafficking in the Sahel: Cracking down on illicit drugs Sunday, May 05, 2024
- First Person: Women in Madagascar too ashamed to seek help giving birth Sunday, May 05, 2024
- ‘Moral obligation’ of Haitian NGO worker to carry on despite kidnapping of two children Saturday, May 04, 2024
- ‘Our voices need to be included’: Trinidadian youth make case for strong role in climate negotiations Saturday, May 04, 2024
- Media Freedom Declining Across Europe, With Implications for Rule of Law Friday, May 03, 2024
- Pillay: Israel is helped by ‘powerful States’ in violation of Palestinians’ rights Friday, May 03, 2024
- World News in Brief: Attacks on civilians in DR Congo, concern over conviction of trade union leader in Cambodia, gang violence in Haiti Friday, May 03, 2024
- UN agencies warn of imminent starvation risk in Sudan’s Darfur region Friday, May 03, 2024
- East Africa: UN support continues amid heavy rains, severe floods and cyclone threat Friday, May 03, 2024
Learn more about the related issues: