Yemen: €95 million in EU humanitarian aid for people threatened by conflict and famine

The European Commission is allocating €95 million in humanitarian support to address the most pressing needs of people in Yemen amid record highs of child malnutrition, an imminent threat of famine, and renewed fighting.

More than 2 million children, as well as over 1 million pregnant women and mothers, are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021 while escalating hostilities are forcing thousands of families to leave their households.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, announced the new funding at the high-level pledging event for Yemen on 1 March co-hosted by the United Nations, Sweden and Switzerland.

“The EU does not forget the dire situation of people in Yemen who are once again on the brink of famine after bearing the brunt of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. New EU funding will be essential in maintaining life-saving aid for millions of people, exhausted after a disastrous year marked by fighting, COVID-19, and further economic collapse. Parties to the conflict need to facilitate the access of humanitarian organisations to those most in need and avoid further civilian suffering. Now more than ever it is crucial that International Humanitarian Law and unrestricted access to those in need are upheld,” said Commissioner Lenarčič.

In 2021, EU humanitarian aid will continue to provide food, nutrition and healthcare, financial assistance, water and sanitation, education, and other lifesaving support to the conflict-displaced and those in severe need.

Since the beginning of the conflict in 2015, the European Union has allocated €981 million in various forms of financial assistance to respond to the crisis in Yemen, including €648 million in humanitarian aid.