UN recognises UAE contributions to Yemen aid

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UN recognises UAE contributions to Yemen aid

UAE has contributed $465 million of the requested $2.1 billion that the UN is using to implement its Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan.

By Wam

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Published: Thu 21 Jun 2018, 10:10 PM

Last updated: Fri 22 Jun 2018, 12:15 AM

The United Nations released on Wednesday statistics on the significant progress made in addressing humanitarian need in Yemen thanks to the contributions of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with over 150 implementing partners.
The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme (WFP), UN Children's Fund (Unicef), and the Yemeni Women's Union presented the 2018 data showing a rapid expansion of humanitarian coverage across Yemen in many sectors, including nutrition, health, and education among others. The UAE has contributed $465 million of the requested $2.1 billion that the UN is using to implement its Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (YHRP).
Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, praised the progress while also contextualising it in the ongoing military operation in the Hodeida governorate.
"The YHRP embodies the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and we are honoured to join other donors in investing in OCHA and the UN system through this plan," she said. "As the operation in Hodeida continues, implementation of the YHRP - and the humanitarian access and compliance with international humanitarian law it requires - remains our top priority. Alongside the current surge of pre-positioned aid for Hodeida, there is a rapid expansion of country-wide aid capacity through other ports, airlifts, and land corridors, conducted in coordination with the UN."
She also thanked the UN workers on the ground and local NGOs for their vital work, and affirmed the UAE's commitment to helping facilitate their efforts and support the Yemeni people in coming years.
During the event, Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Head of OCHA, hailed the UAE's joint pledge with Saudi Arabia totalling $930 million. On the pledge, he stated it "was unconditional, except for the fact that the money was to be used for the UN's response plan, and was unearmarked. In other words, it was our favourite kind of funding."
He noted that the pledge, alongside that of donors like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UK, and the European Union, among others, has allowed for immediate deployment of assistance, turning around the situation on the ground. The UN is currently able to provide aid to seven million Yemenis per month, compared to the three million per month in 2016.
David Beasley, Executive Director of WFP, commended the contributions made by the UAE and other donors, noting the immediate effect on the distribution of services and aid in Yemen. He said that "the UAE and Saudi Arabia stepped up in an extraordinary way", and added that it was not only in terms of financial support, but also logistics, supplies, and access. He highlighted that through the UAE and Saudi Arabia's support, the WFP is providing critical support to the eight million civilians who are on the brink of famine. He noted, however, that "things have taken a negative turn with regards to [humanitarian] access with the Houthis". He also reported that Houthi forces in Hodeida are digging trenches and cutting off water supplies, with implications for the spread of cholera.


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