Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – The UK has announced a new humanitarian program designed to provide essential support to over 1 million vulnerable Yemeni women and children each year. This comprehensive initiative aims to reduce fatalities and illnesses among women and children by offering nutrition, improved access to clean water, and sexual and reproductive health services.
The program comes in the wake of a three-day visit to the Middle East by the Foreign Secretary, underscoring the UK’s growing partnership with the region. During his visit to Jordan, the Foreign Secretary engaged with UNICEF and other partners working to address the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, where he unveiled the details of the Yemen Women and Children Programme.
Valued at £160 million and spanning four years, this initiative will provide primary healthcare services, including nutrition, water hygiene, sanitation, and sexual and reproductive health support, to the most vulnerable populations in Yemen. It aims to reach more than 1 million women and children annually, offering increased protection by preventing and addressing gender-based violence, and supporting and safeguarding people amidst conflict.
Yemen remains engulfed in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with 21.6 million Yemenis (approximately two-thirds of the country’s population) requiring humanitarian assistance in the current year, as identified by the UN. Although the situation is critical, it is worth noting that full-scale conflict has not resumed since the expiration of the UN brokered truce in October 2022.
“The conflict in Yemen continues to cause pain and suffering for millions of ordinary Yemenis, with women and children particularly paying a heavy price,” said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
He further indicated that the UK’s unwavering commitment to tackling the Yemeni humanitarian crisis, highlighting that the newly launched Yemen Women and Children Programme will deliver crucial assistance to those who need it the most.
The UK has been a leading contributor to the UN-led response in Yemen, having contributed over £1 billion since the outset of the conflict.
