European Commission increases humanitarian aid to Yemen as crisis escalating

BRUSSELS, Sept 25 (KUNA) -- The European Commission announced on Thursday an additional EUR 40 million in urgent humanitarian aid to confront Yemen's rapidly worsening crisis and help stave off famine.
In a statement, the Commission said that years of war, economic collapse, and climate shocks have left more than half of the population facing acute food insecurity.
Stating that more than 19.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 17.1 million suffering critical food shortages, while nearly two million children are malnourished, half a million of them in severe condition.
The statement added that Yemen's health system is close to breakdown, with disease outbreaks spreading as facilities shut for lack of funds.
The commission's new funding would be directed towards urgent food supplies and health services, prioritizing districts at highest risk off famine, noting that its Humanitarian Air Bridge operation recently delivered over 432 tons of medicines and supplies, distributed by 11 humanitarian partners to affected families across the country.
It stressed that the EU remains the largest donor to Yemen's humanitarian Response Plan and a key partner in UN-led efforts to uphold international humanitarian law and regional stability.
"Behind the bleak humanitarian data there are millions of people in Yemen whose lives are in danger" Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management said Hadja Lahbib stated, adding that "families cannot feed their children, hospitals are closing their doors, and preventable diseases are spreading.
He reaffirmed that the EU is stepping up its support to bring food, treatment, and care to those most in need, reiterated that humanitarian aid must never be instrumentalized, blocked or retained. (end) arn.sar