Coalition partners committed to humanitarian role in Yemen - Official

RIYADH, Sept 21 (KUNA) -- Members of the Saudi-led coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen attach great importance to the humanitarian aspect and are keen on protecting the Yemeni people, advisor to the Saudi Royal Diwan Dr. Abdullah Rabi'a said Friday.
The coalition partners make tremendous efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people through urgent relief aid and healthcare, said Dr. Rabi'a who doubles as supervisor general of King Salman Center for Humanitarian Relief and Works (KSrelief).
He made the comments at a press conference on the relief efforts of the coalition member states in Hudaydah governorate, west Yemen.
"Over the recent weeks, the coalition partners launched several humanitarian corridors to allow safe delivery of aid for civilians in Hudaydah in coordination with the UN aid agencies," he pointed out.
"Since the UN launched Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2018 to raise USD 2.96 billion in aid of Yemenis, the coalition member states have contributed USD 1.93 billion, or 65.1 percent of the total funds, until yesterday, September 20," Dr. Rabi'a stated.
He denounced the Houthi rebel group in Yemen for attacking the aid workers and practicing looting activities since the start of conflict in 2015.
"A total of 65 aid ships and 124 aid convoys, including 628 trucks have come under looting attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias since 2015," he said.
"These militias also seized 19 oil tankers carrying 200,000 tons of oil derivatives while docking at Hudaydah seaport," he added. (end) mdm.gb