Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The European Commission pledges €125 million for Yemen’s crisis, focusing on urgent needs like food, health, and demining. The aid aims to alleviate suffering amid the prolonged conflict and humanitarian challenges.
The European Commission is providing €125 million in fresh EU humanitarian funding to address the most critical needs of people in Yemen amidst the continuing crisis and escalating strains in the region. The announcement comes on the occurrence of the sixth Senior Officials Meeting on Yemen, headed by Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in Brussels.
Who Will Benefit from the EU’s Humanitarian Aid?
The press of the European Commission states that the grant will be channelled exclusively via the EU’s humanitarian allies, including UN agencies and NGOs actively concerned in the response, sustaining vulnerable communities impacted by Yemen’s decade-long conflict, displacement, and climate emergencies. Aid will fund food security and assistance for malnutrition, health and specialised protection services and demining actions among others. Reliable programmes for education and child protection will also be funded.
What Specific Needs Will the Aid Address in Yemen?
To respond to the urgent health crisis triggered by outbreaks of infectious diseases in Yemen, since February this year, the EU has also organised 13 Humanitarian Air Bridge flights and is in the process of launching another operation this month consisting of 24 flights. These aid deliveries have amongst others helped tackle the cholera outbreak in the country.
Why Does Yemen Require Urgent Humanitarian Assistance?
Yemen persists to be one of the world’s most severe and prolonged humanitarian crises, with an estimated 18,2 million people – over half of the population – in need of humanitarian aid and protection services. This alarming situation, compounded by years of battle, continued displacement and extreme funding shortages, underscores the urgent need for immediate and sustained humanitarian interventions and help from development actors.
What Is the EU’s Historical Involvement in Yemen?
In reaction to these pressing challenges, the European Union has remained firm in its support for the people of Yemen. Since 2015, the EU has donated almost €1.5 billion to address the Yemeni situation, including over €1 billion in humanitarian aid.
What Are Commissioner Lenarčič’s Remarks on the Crisis?
On this occasion, Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management stated, “As Yemen approaches a decade of devastating conflict, it is yet again the innocent people of Yemen who continue to pay the most devastating price. Over half of its population continues to suffer the consequences of conflict, an economic collapse, natural hazards and disease outbreaks. While a political solution is crucial, we must provide life-saving assistance to those in need and ensure more sustained support from the humanitarian and development communities. That is why we have gathered today and I am glad to reaffirm the European Union’s contribution of €125 million in humanitarian aid to ease the crisis. Yemenis cannot wait.”
What Sets the EU’s Approach to Yemen Apart?
The European Union is one of the few international players with a mission exclusively committed to Yemen. Given the severe situation in Yemen and the need for responsive and flexible programming, the EU works through ad-hoc Special Measures in a whole-of-Yemen approach to handle the needs of the population. EU interventions are developed with a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach to meet immediate requirements, while simultaneously sustaining bridging measures that contribute towards managing systemic causes of suffering and dispute. Priority sectors are human strength and development; economic recovery; and peace and security.
