Yesterday international donors pledged 2,6 billion USD to help scale up life-saving aid to millions of people in need in Yemen during a pledging event in Geneva. The conference was co-chaired by the United Nations, Sweden and Switzerland.
Yemen is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with close to two thirds of the population - 24 million people – in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The complex emergency in Yemen has deteriorated significantly since hostilities escalated in March 2015. The Stockholm agreement has opened a window of opportunity for saving lives and alleviating the suffering, but requires the international community’s full support. There is an urgent need for a political solution, for the protection of civilians and humanitarian access. “To put an end to this unbearable human suffering, we must mobilize resources in support of the humanitarian response in Yemen, stated Minister for Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström. The Minister highlighted the importance of attention to the issue of child rights and child protection and emphasizing the vulnerable situation of women and the role of women in the peace process The UN, Sweden and Switzerland called on all parties to the conflict for urgent unimpeded humanitarian access to all parts of Yemen and respecting and observing international humanitarian law and human rights. “Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. More than 24 million people – three-quarters of the population – need some form of assistance and protection. Some 20 million people are food insecure. And 10 million of these people do not know how they will obtain their next meal…”, the Secretary-General emphasized.“
The pledges made today are available online.
Read United Nations OCHA's press release here.