The Foreign Secretary has announced a significant increase in aid
funding to Yemen at a meeting with the Yemeni Prime Minister in
London.
After nine years of conflict, the Yemeni people are suffering one
of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Since illegally
seizing power in 2014, the Houthis have prevented aid from
getting to those who need it most in northern Yemen and attacked
oil infrastructure, depriving the Government of Yemen of a major
revenue source.
More recently, the Houthis have attacked commercial shipping in
the Red Sea, which risks driving up the costs of supplies of food
and humanitarian aid in the region, and impacting the Yemeni
people as over 70 percent of food staples are imported through
Red Sea ports.
Today, nearly half of all children under five are suffering from
stunting due to years of malnutrition and more than half of the
population is in need of humanitarian assistance. The UK is
announcing that it will increase its humanitarian aid by 58% for
the 2024-2025 financial year to support those most in need in
Yemen, including women and girls.
The £139 million commitment, delivered through partners such as
WFP, UNICEF, and other organisations, will help save lives in
Yemen by supporting the delivery of vital services. As examples,
the UK will provide cash transfers which will help to feed up to
864,000 people and support 500 health facilities with the
medicines, vaccines and nutritional supplements they need to
treat 700,000 severely malnourished children.
The Foreign Secretary will make this commitment in a meeting with
the Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak later today. The
two are set to discuss how the international community must do
more to tackle Yemen's humanitarian crisis, the ongoing Houthi
attacks against international shipping, and the need to support
the UN's efforts toward a comprehensive settlement to end the
years of conflict in Yemen.
The Foreign Secretary said:
The Yemeni people are suffering one of the world's worst
humanitarian crises, with over half the population in need of
humanitarian assistance, as its nine-year conflict drags
on. The UK is stepping up to tackle the crisis in Yemen,
but we need the international community to do the same to make a
real difference.
The Houthi's actions have aggravated this humanitarian crisis
through blocking aid from reaching those who need it in northern
Yemen and attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea which
risks pushing up the price of vital supplies.
As well as helping on the humanitarian front, we need to do more
to help the government of Yemen to deliver for the Yemeni people.
Our talks covered a range of sectors and areas where the UK can
help.
Following his arrival in the UK, Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin
Mubarak said:
I highly appreciate the United Kingdom's uplifting aid to Yemen.
As we move forward, it is essential that we expand our relations
to include mutual investments across various sectors.
Yemen's strategic position at the crossroads of global trade
routes makes it an attractive hub for commerce and investment.
Enhanced economic cooperation between Yemen and the UK, including
in sectors like energy, agriculture, fisheries, and
manufacturing, will generate jobs and growth that benefit both
our peoples.
Our youthful population is eager for opportunities, and with the
right partnerships and support, we can build a more prosperous
and stable future.
As well as helping on the humanitarian front, we need to do more
to help the government of Yemen to deliver for the Yemeni people.
Our talks covered a range of sectors and areas where the UK can
help.
The Prime Minister also met Lord Ahmad to discuss the
humanitarian crisis, the Red Sea crisis and our shared ambition
of a UN process that delivers a sustainable peace in Yemen.
Notes to editors:
- The UK has provided more than £1 billion in aid to Yemen
since 2015.
- Photographs of the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister of
Yemen meeting will be available later today on request.
- Last financial year, the UK's humanitarian programming aimed
to provide food, every month, for at least 100,000 people per
month as well supporting 400 healthcare facilities and treating
22,000 malnourished children.
