Nurses providing UK aid-funded health services to a young child in Yemen.
- Foreign Secretary announces significant increase in aid funding to Yemen today, to address one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world
- new funding will help feed more than 850,000 people and treat 700,000 malnourished children
- aid boost made during Yemeni Prime Minister visit to the UK for talks with the Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and development organisations
The Foreign Secretary has announced a significant increase in aid funding to Yemen at a meeting with the Yemeni Prime Minister in London.
After 9 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% of food staples are imported through Red Sea ports.
Today, nearly half of all children under 5 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 to 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 2 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 Lord Cameron 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 9-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, Yemeni 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.
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.
