Marib, Yemen – The Executive Unit for Managing Displacement Camps in Marib Governorate issued a statement on Saturday, November 23, 2024, condemning recent remarks made by Mahmoud Saleh, the deputy minister of social affairs and labor in the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The unit described his comments as "false and contrary to the on-ground reality."

In a statement provided to Barran Press, the unit expressed its astonishment at Saleh's assertions during an appearance on the "Press Talk" program on Aden Independent TV, where he claimed to have found over 70 camps in Marib that were "formal" and devoid of residents, denying the existence of displaced people in the province.

The Executive Unit emphasized that these statements are completely inaccurate and do not reflect the official data, pointing out that Marib currently hosts 204 camps sheltering millions of displaced individuals throughout the city and its districts.

According to the statement, 88 of these camps are directly managed by humanitarian and international organizations, including the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the International Organization for Migration, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, among others.

The unit noted that several high-ranking officials, including the President of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Prime Minister, have previously visited these camps, which counters any claims questioning the presence of displaced individuals or the humanitarian needs in the area.

The Executive Unit held the deputy minister responsible for any consequences arising from his misleading statements, which could harm humanitarian response efforts and tarnish Marib’s reputation as a haven for millions of displaced people.

Additionally, the unit called on relevant authorities to take immediate action regarding these inaccurate and irresponsible statements and urged the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to issue a clarifying statement that refutes these claims and corrects the misinformation presented by the deputy minister.

In its statement, the unit reaffirmed its legal rights and its determination to confront any attempts to diminish the suffering of displaced individuals and distort the facts, while reiterating its commitment to transparency and continued efforts to serve displaced persons in coordination with local and international partners, despite ongoing challenges.