Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Department for International Development written question – answered at on 18 October 2018.

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Photo of Laurence Robertson Laurence Robertson Conservative, Tewkesbury

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Yemen; and if she will make a statement.

Photo of Alistair Burt Alistair Burt Minister of State (Department for International Development) (Joint with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (Joint with the Department for International Development)

The UK remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Yemen - the largest in the world. Over 22 million people - 75% of the population - are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 8.4 million people at risk of starvation across the country. Yemen relies on imports to meet 90% of its basic needs like food and fuel. As such, it is critical that all parties facilitate the flow of food and fuel into and throughout the country.

We are also extremely concerned by the rapid depreciation of the Yemeni Riyal – which has lost over 40% of its value since July. This is driving increased humanitarian need as families are less able to afford to buy available food.

The UK has consistently been one of the largest donors to the crisis, committing £570 million in response since the conflict began in 2015. We will continue to push for a political solution to the conflict - the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and end the humanitarian crisis.

I recently hosted an event on malnutrition in Yemen at the UN General Assembly on 25 September with UN agencies, donors and NGOs. Together we launched a Call to Action including a three year plan of commitments to tackle malnutrition in Yemen.

The UK continues to respond to humanitarian crisis in Yemen and will keep the situation under close review.

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