Saudi Arabia Announces More Than $200 Million In UN Aid Funding To Yemen

The investigation revealed that help pledged to UN companies by Saudi Arabia for Yemen had greater than halved in 2020, falling from greater than $1 billion to only $500 million this yr. Of this quantity, the UN instructed CNN solely $23 million had thus far come by means of its enchantment.

The King Salman Humanitarian Support and Reduction Centre (KSrelief) introduced the extra Saudi funding in a televised assertion Friday.

“At the moment, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Salman Humanitarian Support and Reduction Centre (KSrelief), signed three vital agreements with UN organizations, specifically the World Meals Programme (WFP), the World Well being Group (WHO) and UNHCR for a complete of $204 million,” stated KSrelief’s Supervisor Normal, Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah.

“The quantity was pledged by the Kingdom to help the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2020, and the Kingdom hopes that these UN organizations will do their utmost to implement these packages as quickly as potential,” he added.

The $204 million in funding introduced by KSrelief on Friday will kind a part of the $500 million initially pledged by the Kingdom throughout a convention hosted by the United Nations and Saudi Arabia in June of this yr, $300 million of which was promised to UN companies.

The funds introduced Friday will all go towards the UN Humanitarian Response Plan, with the lion’s share — $138 million — allotted to the WFP, based on the UN Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

An additional $46 million has been allotted to WHO and $20 million to the UN refugee company, UNHCR, leaving $94 million of the $300 million pledged to UN companies to be finalized, OCHA stated.

Kuwait additionally pledged $20 million at a high-level UN assembly on Yemen held Thursday however it’s not but clear how the funds will likely be allotted, based on OCHA.

“We welcome these developments and proceed to induce all donors to satisfy their pledges and enhance their help, given the more and more determined scenario on the bottom,” an OCHA spokeswoman stated.

Funding shortfalls

CNN’s report, printed Tuesday, revealed the devastating affect of funding cuts to humanitarian assist organizations in Yemen by america, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have pushed the war-torn nation ever nearer to the brink of famine.

A spokesperson for KSrelief instructed CNN on the time that the nation had been prepared to satisfy its unmet funding commitments to Yemen in July, however was ready to finalize agreements with the companies, citing issues over appropriation of assist by the Iran-backed Ansarullah — often known as Houthi rebels.

“Beforehand, there have been issues concerning the lack of funding, however now we will assume that with the arrivals of the funds this afternoon, the UN organizations will start to implement their packages tomorrow, now that the cash is out there,” Al Rabeeah stated Friday.

“I can guarantee you that the funds will likely be transferred immediately and that I don’t anticipate any delays,” he added.

The UN Monetary Monitoring Service (FTS) has since up to date the overall quantity obtained from Saudi Arabia to $231.1 million in funding to its Yemen humanitarian response plan. Nevertheless, based on information from the FTS, there may be nonetheless greater than $214 million in unmet funding commitments to Yemen from Saudi Arabia.

In Yemen, 80% of the inhabitants depends on assist, however UN information has revealed billions of {dollars} in funding shortfalls this yr alone.

The WFP additionally estimates that greater than 66% of individuals in Yemen are thought of “meals insecure” and that more than 14 million of them could die if they’re not in a position to entry meals help from assist teams working within the nation.

Based on KSrelief, Saudi authorities will likely be “intently following up” the scenario in Yemen to make sure that humanitarian packages are being funded to assist these most in want.

“We pray that these packages will likely be useful,” Al Rabeeah added.

The US, Saudi Arabia and UAE are key actors within the battle in Yemen, and in 2018 and 2019 they have been the most important donors to the UN response in Yemen.

In 2019, the US contributed virtually $1 billion to the UN enchantment, however this yr, it has donated lower than half that thus far, giving $411 million, UN data shows. Regardless of the US’ sizeable minimize in funding, it’s nonetheless the most important donor to the UN’s Yemen enchantment.

A spokesperson for america Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) instructed CNN that the nation would resume all operations within the Houthi-controlled north “once we are assured that our companions can ship assist with out undue Houthi interference and account for US help.”

The Houthis have positioned harsh restrictions on UN agencies making an attempt to entry elements of the nation it controls within the north. Tensions have been excessive for the reason that World Meals Program, together with the US and its allies, accused the Houthis of stealing meals assist from different elements of Yemen.

The Houthi rebels overthrew the internationally acknowledged authorities of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi in 2015. A Saudi-led coalition, by which the UAE is a key companion, has waged a marketing campaign in opposition to the Houthis for the previous 5 years, destroying a lot of the Houthi-controlled areas with US backing.

Earlier CNN investigations have proven that the US government profited from the war, by promoting Saudi Arabia and the UAE American-made bombs and armaments.

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