UN launches $3 billion Yemen appeal

The UN asked donors on Tuesday (April 3rd) for nearly $3 billion to help an estimated 13 million people who urgently need aid in Yemen, AFP reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the funding drive at a conference in Geneva aiming to raise $2.96 billion for this year.

Last year's Yemen appeal was for $2.5 billion, which was 73% funded, but the needs have intensified in a country battered since 2015 by a military offensive aimed at repelling Iran-backed Houthi (Ansarallah) fighters who control the capital.

"Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis," Guterres said, calling the situation "catastrophic".

"But with international support, we can and must prevent this country from becoming a long-term tragedy," he said.

According to the UN, 8.4 million people are on the verge of famine in Yemen, where food imports are essential to sustain the population.

"Humanitarians must be able to reach the people who need help the most, without conditions," Guterres said.

"All ports must remain open to humanitarian and commercial cargo, the medicines, food and the fuel needed to deliver them," he added.

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