International donors convened today to jump-start funding for the humanitarian operation in Yemen. The high-level event is being hosted by the UN Secretary-General and the Governments of Sweden and Switzerland.
After years of war, Yemen remains an enormous humanitarian emergency. More than 21 million people – two thirds of the country’s population – will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2023.
“The international community has the power and the means to end this crisis. And it begins by funding our appeal fully and committing to disbursing funds quickly,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Together, let us at long last turn the tide of suffering. Let us give hope to the people of Yemen.”
Although a six-month truce last year brought some relief to civilians, widespread suffering has continued, mainly due to the country’s deteriorating economy and collapsing basic services.
Life-saving operations
“We cannot let life-saving operations in Yemen come to a halt. I hope that the international community will take the opportunity today to show continued solidarity with the people in Yemen now when they need it most,” said Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden.
Aid agencies need US$4.3 billion this year to assist 17.3 million people across the country. Record global humanitarian needs are stretching donor support like never before, but without sustained support for the aid operation in Yemen, the lives of millions of Yemenis will hang in the balance, and efforts to end the conflict once and for all will become even more challenging.
In 2022, donors generously provided more than $2.2 billion, enabling aid agencies to reach nearly 11 million people across the country every month with life-saving assistance, including food, clean water, shelter, protection and education. More than 200 humanitarian organizations delivered aid across all of Yemen’s 333 districts.
