Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen
The high-level pledging conference aimed to garner support for the humanitarian response in Yemen and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. As millions of people continue to suffer in Yemen, the European Commission has announced its intention to provide €161.5 million in humanitarian aid for 2019.
Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. In 2019, an estimated 24 million people - 80% of the population - are in need of humanitarian assistance or protection. This includes around 10 million Yemenis, who do not know where their next meal will come from.
Announcing the European Commission's pledge, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides said: "Yemen is facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Our new funding will allow partners to provide more food, nutrition, health services, shelter, sanitation, as well as education and protection programmes."
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"We are here to respond to a crisis of devastating proportions", said UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the opening of the pledging conference. "But we know that there are no humanitarian solutions to humanitarian problems."
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Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock added, "I hope that, a year from now, what we will be able to discuss is progress in building a better future for the people of Yemen".
Commissioner Stylianides urged: "A political solution remains the only way forward. Aid alone is not the answer."
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That is why the EU and its Member States will continue to engage actively with all the parties to the conflict and are committed to further support the UN-led political process, including through political dialogue with relevant regional actors, with the aim of continuing to produce tangible results, ending the conflict and fostering an improved regional environment.
The EU has played a leading international role in mobilising support for the Yemen crisis. In 2018, EU humanitarian support reached over 14 million people in Yemen, helping the most vulnerable like women and children caught up in the conflict. The EU has repeatedly urged all parties to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and prioritise the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
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In full respect of humanitarian principles, the EU channels its substantial aid through partner organisations to where needs are the highest. In addition to direct humanitarian funding, the European Commission supports the coordination and transport of humanitarian personnel and aid cargo.
At the conference, donors all in all pledged US$2.6 billion to ensure that humanitarian operations in Yemen can be sustained and scaled up at a time when humanitarian aid is the only lifeline for millions of Yemenis. With US$ 659,8 million the European Union and its Member States provided over one fourth of the total pledge.