The plan targets 17.3 million out of a staggering 23.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance services and life-saving protection across the war-torn Arab nation. The first nationwide ceasefire in six years, which coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, continues on a large scale. organization.
The UN-led ceasefire agreement between the Saudi-led coalition forces supporting the internationally recognized Government and the Houthi rebels (officially known as Ansar Allah), who hold the much of the country, including the capital Sa’ana, begins on April 2 and is due. continue until the end of May.
Reality ’emergency settlement’
“The The growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a reality that we urgently need to address‘ said David Gressly, Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen.
“The numbers this year are astounding. More than 23 million people – nearly three-quarters of Yemen’s population – are in need of assistance. That is an increase of nearly three million people compared to 2021. Nearly 13 million people are facing a level of urgent need. “
The conflict escalated last year, leading to untold suffering and further disruption of public services, pushing humanitarian needs even further, a press release issued by the humanitarian affairs office of released by the United Nations (OCHA) team in Yemen.
The collapse of the economy, another product of the seven-year war, has exacerbated vulnerabilities for the poorest, with a record 19 million people predicted to need assistance. food aid in the second half of 2022.
There is an estimate 161,000 people face “the most terrible hunger”,” said OCHA. “Children continue to suffer terribly,” with 2.2 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, of which more than half a million are severely malnourished. Limited access to critical services continues to exacerbate the situation of the most vulnerable groups, including women and children.
‘Moment of hope’
“This is also a moment of hope for Yemen. The UN-led ceasefire is an important opportunity for aid agencies to scale up their help to save lives and quickly reach many of those in urgent need, including in areas with limited access to access. due to armed conflict and insecurity,” Mr. Gressly said. “In order for aid agencies to immediately step up their efforts, we trust enough funding from donors. Otherwise, the aid operation will collapse despite the positive momentum we are seeing in Yemen today.”
At a high-level fundraising event for Yemen held in March of this year, donors pledged $1.3 billion – just 30% of the total requirement for HRP 2022.
OCHA said another $300 million has been committed since then. However, the response is still severely underfunded, leaving aid agencies with limited resources at the time Two-thirds of major UN programs in Yemen were forced to downsize or close due to lack of funding. Mr. Gressly said: “I urge all donors to fully fund the call and commit to prompt disbursement.
More than 4.3 million people have had to leave their homes since the war broke out in 2015, making it the fourth largest internal displacement crisis on Earth.
