The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has announced country’s contribution of more than $444 million, exemplifying continued generosity of American people for the people of Yemen going through food insecurity over conflict.
Blinken who disclosed this in a statement on Monday which is in addition to humanitarian assistance to people of Yemen, said as one of the largest donors, this brings the total to the humanitarian response in Yemen to over $5.4 billion since the conflict began.
Adding that up to date, the United States support, combined with the continued benefits and relative calm created by the UN-brokered truce, enabled 2.2 million Yemenis to avoid experiencing acute food insecurity and tens of thousands of others to avoid slipping into famine-level conditions.
According to him, “The United States’ commitment to alleviating the suffering of millions from the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains resolute.
“While our additional humanitarian assistance through US Agency for International Development USAID and the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration PRM will enable our partners on the ground to deliver life-saving aid to Yemen’s most vulnerable people”, he said.
Blinken explained that the today’s pledges are important, much more is needed. “We urge all donors to give generously to help raise the $4.3 billion the UN will require to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemenis.
“Two-thirds of Yemen’s population – 21.6 million children, women and men – need vital aid. Last year, funding gaps forced the UN to scale back or cut over half of its life-saving programs, including emergency food assistance.
“That means intense hunger or life-threatening starvation for more than two million children facing deadly malnutrition. Humanitarian assistance must be complemented by economic and development support.
More than eight years of conflict have pushed Yemen’s economy and institutions to the brink. Families have been left unable to buy basic goods, provide for their children, or access healthcare”, he said.
Secretary Blinken stated that the United States continues our efforts to help stabilize Yemen’s economy and restore basic services and livelihoods.
“Despite the dire humanitarian conditions, there is a glimmer of hope as Yemen is experiencing the best opportunities for peace in years.
“Building on the momentum from the UN-mediated truce, the parties now have the chance to end this war.
“The international community must do everything we can to help including through strong support to the Yemen humanitarian response – to build further positive momentum and ensure Yemenis see the tangible benefits peace can bring”, he said.
It was reported that Yemen remains the one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with around 23.4 million people in need of assistance, including almost 13 million children.
After eight years of conflict, the national socioeconomic systems of Yemen remain on the edge of total collapse, while conflict, large-scale displacement and recurring climate shocks have left families vulnerable to communicable diseases outbreaks.
By the late 2022, over 17.8 million people, including 9.2 million children, lacked access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. The country continues to experience regular outbreaks of cholera, measles, diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases.