ANNEX
1. Background
The war in Yemen has caused the world’s gravest humanitarian crisis. More than 24 million people are dependent on some form of aid, and the number of Yemenis that are acutely food insecure has continued to rise. The UN is currently feeding more than 10 million people every month in its largest operation in history. The international community was asked in 2019 to contribute USD 4,2 billion in humanitarian assistance, the largest aid appeal in the world.
In this context, it remains vital for commercial items to continue flowing into the country. The UN has continuously called on the parties to the conflict to ensure the unimpeded flow of commercial goods, including fuel, into Yemen. The operationalisation of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) in 2016 was meant to facilitate this flow and revive the economy of the country in compliance with UNSCR 2216 (2015).
UNVIM established its main base of operations in Djibouti, with four Inspectors, four Explosive Detection Dogs Teams, 13 management/technical staff and up to seven secondees from the United Kingdom. UNVIM is now also present in Jeddah (two monitors), King Abdullah port (two monitors are being recruited) and Hodeidah (five monitors, three of whom have already been recruited). UNVIM has been used to nurture a relationship between the UN (United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)) and the Saudi‐led Coalition, as well as with the Government of Yemen. Several meetings with shipping companies have been organised during the course of the project with the purpose of increasing confidence and predictability for exporters trading with Yemen.
The Union decided to support UNVIM by adopting on 18 September 2018 Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249. This followed reiterated calls from the Union stressing the importance of the effective and timely processing of commercial shipping. The Union’s support to UNVIM through an EU Stabilisation Action based on Article 28 TEU permitted the Union to: attend UNVIM’s monthly Steering Committee meetings, where the Government of Yemen and the Saudi‐led Coalition are also represented; establish a working relationship with the Saudi‐led Coalition and the Government of Yemen; deepen its coordination with other donors (in particular the United Kingdom and the United States); and increase the Union’s visibility with regard to its support to the UN‐led process in Yemen.
The parties to the conflict signed the Stockholm Agreement under UN auspices on 13 December 2018. They agreed to a ‘UN leading role in supporting Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation in management and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras al‐Isa, to include enhanced UNVIM monitoring in the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa’. UNVIM remains therefore a vital element of the UN Special Envoy’s plan to implement the provisions of the Stockholm Agreement.
Progress in this regard has been assessed by the UN Special Envoy’s office as essential before moving towards political consultations among the parties. UNVIM began its deployment of monitors to Hodeidah port on 25 February 2019, and has had discussions with the port management with regard to the establishment of UNVIM’s activities. These discussions have involved the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA). UNVIM is now in need of further support for its operations, as well as for its deployment into the Red Sea ports.
2. UNVIM inspection and verification process
At present, UNVIM’s Standard Operating Procedures apply to: (i) all vessels above 100 metric tons destined for Yemeni ports not under the control of the Government of Yemen and to all vessels transporting commercial goods purchased by Yemen‐based commercial or government entities intended for sale in Yemen; and (ii) bilateral assistance from UN Member States not channelled through a UN Agency, Fund or Programme or a recognised international humanitarian organisation.
The verification process starts when a shipping company submits an online clearance request at www.vimye.org, uploads the necessary documents and submits all requested documentation to UNVIM. Within 48 hours, UNVIM reviews the documentation and sends a notification to external partners such as the Evacuation and Humanitarian Operations Cell of the Coalition Forces (EHOC). UNVIM then decides whether or not to inspect the vessel based on its own process including discrepancies in the documentation received, undeclared port calls, suspicious vessel movement, switching‐off the Automatic Identification System (AIS) for more than four hours and feedback received from external partners. Vessel inspections are either conducted at port in territorial waters or at sea in international waters.
A clearance certificate is then either granted or denied (meaning cancelled, declined or revoked). For a cleared vessel, UNVIM keeps monitoring its movements through the AIS, including: transit to the Coalition holding area; movement from the holding area to the anchorage area; and movement from the anchorage to the berth for discharge. UNVIM tracking ends once the cleared vessel departs from Yemen’s Red Sea ports after discharging its cargo and sails out from the port. Throughout the entire process, UNVIM maintains strong contact with the shipping companies and the vessel’s Master (Captain) and plays a critical role in addressing any issues the vessel encounters at sea, including advocating with EHOC and the Coalition. UNVIM’s facilitation of the entire clearance process and consistent communication with the shipping companies is crucial in maintaining the trust of international shipping lines and, therefore, in ensuring commercial imports to the majority of the Yemeni population continue despite the ongoing conflict.
UNVIM has also sought to reassure the international shipping community through quarterly meetings with their representatives, ensuring that their difficulties and challenges are correctly understood and addressed.
3. Overall objectives
In order to ensure UNVIM unhindered implementation of its mandate, the overall objective of the EU Stabilisation Action is to contribute to the facilitation of an unhindered flow of commercial items to Yemen through the provision of a transparent and effective clearance process for commercial shipments destined for Yemeni ports not under the control of the Government of Yemen. This currently includes, as per the Stockholm Agreement, the deployment of UNVIM to the Red Sea ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa.
The specific objectives of the EU Stabilisation Action are to:
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increase the flow of commercial cargo to Yemen by accelerating the clearance process for commercial shipments and restoring the confidence of shipping companies,
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increase UNVIM’s ability to deploy personnel and resources in the region, and in particular in Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa as per the provisions of the Stockholm Agreement.
Should UNVIM’s mandate or needs change in a way that brings into question the adequacy or relevance of the project in achieving the abovementioned objectives, the Union contribution shall be reassessed accordingly.
4. Description of activities
UNOPS will be responsible for the technical implementation of the project.
Activity 1: Increasing the number of UNVIM personnel.
The number of operational staff is to be increased, in a first step up to a total of nine, with the option to further increase the number of operational staff at a later stage.
The nine operational staff will be:
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seven UNVIM staff, who are to be deployed to Hodeidah: one coordination officer, one field security adviser, one monitor, one scanner operator, one protocol and operations assistant, one local security assistant, and one administrative assistant in Hodeidah,
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two monitors, one of whom is to be deployed to Saleef and the other to Ras Issa. This increase in capacity would allow UNVIM to effectively deploy in the Red Sea ports.
In addition, administrative support staff (finance officer, procurement officer, etc.) necessary for the implementation of the EU Stabilisation Action shall also be funded.
Planned activities are as follows:
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UNOPS will recruit the new monitors, inspectors and officers in accordance with the UNOPS recruitment rules and procedures,
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UNOPS will pre‐inform the EEAS of any opening of positions.
Timeline: Throughout the duration of the project.
Activity 2: Renting of a part of the Djibouti port and renting of an office in Sanaa. The Union will continue to fund the rental of the port facilities to ensure a constant location at which to conduct inspections. In addition, the Union will finance the rental of the Sanaa office, which serves as a temporary base for UNVIM staff to connect from and to Hodeidah and Djibouti.
Timeline: Throughout the duration of the project.
Activity 3: Purchasing additional inspection equipment. UNVIM will purchase additional inspection equipment (such as scanners) necessary for the implementation of the EU Stabilisation Action. It will facilitate the timely inspection of vessels in Djibouti port and in international waters.
Planned activities are as follows:
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development of technical specifications currently ongoing,
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as per UNOPS procurement procedures, launch of an international call for tender for supplies and award of contract,
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delivery of the equipment and training of the relevant personnel.
Timeline: Months one to four inclusive of the project. At the end of the project, the disposal of the assets will be done in accordance with the contract signed with the European Commission.
Activity 4: Upgrading UNVIM’s security. This activity will be dedicated to ensuring that UNVIM’s operations in the ports of the Red Sea meet the appropriate security requirements and allow for UNVIM’s work to be properly conducted.
Planned activities are as follows:
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development of technical specifications currently ongoing,
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as per UNOPS procurement procedures, launch of an international call for tender for supplies and award of contract,
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delivery of the equipment and training of the relevant personnel.
Timeline: Months one to four inclusive of the project. At the end of the project, the disposal of the assets will be done in accordance with the contract signed with the European Commission.
Activity 5: Project implementation. UNOPS will provide programme management oversight. This oversight is to include the development of milestones, internal reviews, oversight of contractual agreements and financial management. Anticipated activities include:
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procurement of external services or Special Services Agreement for technical assistance for the implementation of the project,
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financial and contractual management of services that UNOPS sub‐contracts to third parties.
Timeline: Throughout the duration of the project.
5. Expected results
In stepping up UNVIM operational activities, the expected results of the project are as follows:
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prevent the flow of prohibited items from entering Yemen’s Red Sea ports,
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facilitate the free flow of commercial goods to Yemen’s Red Sea ports,
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support the Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation in the management and inspections of the operation of the Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa ports,
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build trust amongst the international shipping community by projecting a transparent and efficient process for the entry of commercial goods to Yemen’s Red Sea ports, despite the ongoing conflict,
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support the Government of Yemen in meeting its population’s needs for basic commodities that are not fully met by humanitarian assistance and local sources.
6. Estimated duration
The duration of the project is envisaged to be 12 months. An according contribution agreement between the Commission and UNOPS will be signed.
7. Union visibility
UNOPS’s responsibility for the technical implementation of the project will ensure proper visibility of the financial support of the Union, for example in reports, events or meetings. An EU flag will be displayed on all UNVIM documentation. UNVIM/UNOPS will display appropriate visibility on all equipment purchased using EU funds that is not consumable, including the display of the EU logo. Where such display could jeopardise UNOPS’s privileges and immunities or the safety of its staff or of the final beneficiaries, appropriate alternative arrangements will be made.
8. EU participation in the UNVIM Steering Committee
The UNVIM Steering Committee comprises the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (represented by EHOC and the Ministry of Defence), the UAE, the Government of Yemen (represented by a Djibouti‐based UNVIM liaison officer and a Ministry of Transport representative), UNOPS and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In the same way as the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom attend such meetings with ‘observer status’ in their capacity of donors to UNVIM, the Union will continue to participate in the monthly meetings of the UNVIM Steering Committee.
9. Reporting
UNVIM/UNOPS will provide to the EEAS a monthly report to review progress towards the completion of project results. These reports will be shared with the relevant Council body.
EEAS will report to the relevant Council body on the monthly UNVIM Steering Committee meetings.
UNVIM/UNOPS will report directly to the relevant Council body on a quarterly basis in Brussels.
UNVIM/UNOPS will submit a final narrative and financial report within six months of the end of the implementation period.
