NRC today joins other humanitarian agencies on the ground in Yemen in warning that an escalation in fighting -- especially around the port of Hudaydah—will undermine efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the country on the brink of famine.
Yemen is dependent on imports to meet the basic needs of the population for food, fuel, and medicine. Before the conflict, around 80% of imports arrived via Hudaydah port. There is growing concern that fighting might disrupt the imports.
“If the fighting worsens and cuts the lifeline through the port of Hudaydah, the survival of millions of civilians is at risk,” said Egeland.
The humanitarian community is requesting USD 2.1 billion in order to reach 12 million of the most vulnerable people in need of live-saving aid. Four months into the year, only 15 per cent has been funded. Without an immediate infusion of cash, the humanitarian response will struggle to keep famine at bay.
Humanitarian aid is meant to help the most vulnerable who are unable to cope with a crisis. However, Yemen is turning into a country where nearly everyone needs aid. Nearly 19 million people – two thirds of the population – are in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance.
NRC calls on the governments with influence on the parties to the conflict to push for an inclusive peace process, three years into the war that has crippled an entire nation.
“Today governments must fund the humanitarian response to this unfolding disaster and save lives. But funding alone will not resolve the root causes of this catastrophe—it is only through a comprehensive and inclusive peace process that Yemen will be allowed to get back on its feet,” Egeland said.
Press Contacts
Media hotline, info@nrc.no, + 47 905 62 329
Nuha Mohammed, Communications Officer in Yemen, nuha.mohammed@nrc.no, +967 737 006 163
Alvhild Stromme, Media Adviser, alvhild.stromme@nrc.no, +962 790 726 925 (Jordan) and +47 971 92 777 (Norway)
