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US welcomes Saudi-led coalition expanding humanitarian efforts in Yemen

WASHINGTON Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The US welcomed the Saudi-led coalition's efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the White House said late Friday.
"We appreciate the coalition's willingness to contribute to Yemen's reconstruction, including investment in key ports and transportation infrastructure, and to work with the United Nations, World Food Program (WFP), and non-governmental organizations to meet the needs of millions of desperate Yemeni people," the White House said in a statement.
These efforts include transferring USD 930 million to the United Nations agencies in support of the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan by March 31. Four WFP mobile cranes have already begun offloading supplies at Yemen's Hudaydah port.
The White House said it stands ready to assist Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in accomplishing "critical objectives, including expanding access to food and medicine for Yemenis suffering after nearly four years of civil war, and reiterates the continuing necessity for unfettered access for delivering humanitarian and commercial goods through all ports of entry." The White House called on the Houthis to cooperate with the international community to make sure essential supplies reach the millions currently living in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, saying "Alleviating the these vital humanitarian needs and legitimate security concerns of countries in the region depends on a political settlement to the conflict, and therefore the US applauds the recent public commitments of several important parties to the conflict to renew diplomatic efforts and stands ready to support U.N.-led efforts to achieve peace". (end) hy.hb