UN seeks $2.1bn to save Yemen from famine

The United Nations yesterday appealed for $2.1 billion to provide urgent food and humanitarian aid to save some 12 million Yemenis threatened with famine after two years of war in the country.

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick said in the appeal document: “The situation in Yemen is catastrophic and rapidly deteriorating.”

The UN said some 19 million Yemenis – two-thirds of the population – need help and protection.

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According to the agency: “Ongoing airstrikes and fighting continue to inflict heavy casualties, damage public and private infrastructure and impede delivery of humanitarian assistance.”

The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that 63,000 Yemenis died avoidable death, mostly due to poor nutrition.

Secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland, said in a separate statement: “In Yemen, if bombs don’t kill you, a slow and painful death by starvation is now an increasing threat.”

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Yemen has been engulfed in war for years, but the conflict escalated dramatically in March 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states supporting President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi launched air raids against Shia Houthi rebels and supporters of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.