Norway increases support for humanitarian response in Yemen

The additional funding brings Norway’s total humanitarian aid to Yemen for 2018 to around NOK 305 million. This includes Norway’s share of the funding provided to Yemen this year by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Yemen is now the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Some 75 % of the country’s population is dependent on protection and humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian consequences of the hostilities, which began in 2015, have recently been exacerbated by a growing economic crisis. The people of Yemen are suffering from a shortage of water, inadequate health services, and, above all, food insecurity. Famine is now a possibility for millions of people, according to the UN.

The additional funds from Norway will primarily be channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP). The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will also be given additional support for its work to strengthen the humanitarian response. 

The war in Yemen is having a devastating impact on an already vulnerable population, and it is the main reason for the acute humanitarian crisis.

‘I urge the parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, provide safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need, and ensure the protection of the civilian population. The fighting in Yemen must stop. Only a political solution can bring lasting stability,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.  

Ensuring that people in need are given the necessary protection and assistance, in line with the humanitarian principles, is a key objective of Norway’s humanitarian policy, as set out in Norway’s Humanitarian Strategy.