Donors address humanitarian crisis facing the Yemeni people
Published
The humanitarian situation is deteriorating in Yemen amidst escalating regional dynamics. Senior representatives from across the humanitarian community gathered in Brussels today at the sixth Yemen Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting (SOM VI), co-hosted by Sweden and the European Commission, to address the most immediate emergencies and to ensure a timely lifesaving response.
On Tuesday 7 May donors, UN agencies, international and Yemeni Non-Governmental Organisations came together to discuss Yemen’s food and health crisis and how to jointly address the country’s shrinking humanitarian space.
“We are gathered here today at a moment when the people of Yemen are looking to the international community for hope. A way out of humanitarian despair. And a way forward towards dignity and development. Sweden is a steadfast partner for peace and prosperity and will continue to advocate for a principled and inclusive humanitarian response” stressed Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
“Together with the international humanitarian community, the EU continues supporting Yemeni people in need of lifesaving aid. In these challenging times, we reaffirm our commitment to honour humanitarian principles and address operational challenges faced by aid workers on the ground” said Janez Lenarčič, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management.
There is today a real and acute risk of famine in Yemen. Over 17 million people are food insecure, and pockets of famine could emerge if the current development is not reversed. The health system is collapsing and cholera is spreading fast. The alarming resurgence of epidemics is a direct consequence of the lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
As the people of Yemen face an increasingly severe humanitarian crisis, Belgium, the European Union, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States have allocated USD 791.69 million to address the most pressing emergencies in the country.
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