UN says Saudis should fund all aid to Yemen

MENA

Published: 2017-09-05 11:55

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 07:05


Yemen is in the midst of the largest humanitarian crisis ever seen. (Photo Credit: Reuters)
Yemen is in the midst of the largest humanitarian crisis ever seen. (Photo Credit: Reuters)

A top UN official told Reuters that Saudi Arabia should fund 100% of humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the war-torn country, according to al-Jazeera. 

The comments were made by David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), calling for an end to the Saudi-led coalition's campagin, accusing them of hampering provision of aid. 

"Either stop the war or fund the crisis. Option three is, do both of them," said Beasley. 

The campaign began in March of 2015, with the aim of removing Houthi rebels from San'a and control of the north, and restoring power to the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. 

Since fighting began, over 10,000 were killed and millions diplaced. Yemen currently faces one of the worst outbreaks of cholera in the world, which thus far claimed the lives of 2,000 people since April, 25% of which were children. 

Aid groups state that Saudi Arabia has blocked them from sending aid packages to most conflicted areas, including oil needed for UN vehicles to transfer aid and personnel. 

"The Saudis have created serious complications for us because of the port being blockaded to a certain degree, and the destroying of the cranes at Hodeidah port ... That has substantially reduced our capacity to bring food in," said Beasley.