On September 25, 2024, representatives from Yemen and six Western nations welcomed the decision to suspend all "non-life-saving" United Nations activities in areas controlled by the Houthi group, which is designated as a terrorist organization. They called for the immediate release of UN and international agency staff members detained by the Houthis.

This statement emerged from a joint meeting involving representatives from Yemen, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands, where they discussed the implications of these unjustified arrests.

In addition to demanding the release of the abducted employees, the statement urged the Houthis to allow all staff to perform their duties without fear of arbitrary detention or intimidation.

The representatives stressed the need for the Houthi group to adhere to international standards and ensure the safety and security of all diplomatic, humanitarian, civil society, and UN personnel. They emphasized that humanitarian organizations cannot operate as usual if individuals are at risk of arbitrary arrest or worse.

In light of these detentions, the statement endorsed the UN's decision to minimize the exposure of its staff to danger in Houthi-controlled areas by suspending all non-life-saving and non-supportive activities in those regions. They called on the international community to redirect assistance to other areas in the country.

The statement also urged the Houthis to create a suitable operational environment for the implementation of essential humanitarian aid, reinforcing that providing assistance to those in greatest need in Yemen is an international humanitarian necessity that requires a safe operational context.

The representatives expressed deep concern regarding the welfare and dignity of the Yemeni people, highlighting their desire to continue supporting their well-being—a goal hindered by Houthi practices and repression. They reiterated their strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, affirming their determination to stand by the Yemeni people.

On September 12, 2024, the UN announced measures to reduce the exposure of its personnel working in Houthi-controlled areas. Joyce Msuya, the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, informed the UN Security Council that the organization had taken steps "to minimize staff risk in areas controlled by the Houthis."

She added that the UN would focus on "core life-saving and sustainable activities," deprioritizing broader initiatives aimed at developing the poorest country in the Arab world, as reported by international media.