Local Editor
The Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has allocated US$70 million to provide critical life-saving activities across Yemen.
“Through this new allocation, the Yemen Humanitarian Fund will respond to the immediate causes of food insecurity and malnutrition; improve access to food, nutrition, health, water and sanitation services; and continue to support the ongoing cholera response,” said Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen.
“It will also provide a minimum package of assistance including shelter, non-food items and protection services to the most vulnerable individuals among IDPs, returnees and host communities.” Ninety-five districts in 15 governorates across the country have been prioritized by the YHF allocation, including Aden, Al Bayda Al Dhale’e, Hadramaut, Hajjah, Lahj, Saada Shabwah and Taiz.
The allocation has also prioritized support to national NGOs which will implement almost 50 per cent of the total grant with 33 projects by 26 partners ($31.3 million value).
Furthermore, 11 projects will be implemented by 11 International NGOs ($22.4 million value), four projects by four UN agencies ($11 million value) and one by the Red Crescent ($1.9 million value) for a period of one year. The response will be coordinated through the five humanitarian hubs in Aden, Hodeida, Ibb, Sana’a and Saada.
This substantial allocation was made possible by generous contributions from 18 donors to the YHF. However, more resources are, however, urgently needed to further respond to the crisis in Yemen where a staggering 17.8 million people are food insecure – of whom approximately 8.4 million are severely food insecure and at risk of starvation.
Some 1.8 million children and 1.1 million pregnant or lactating women are acutely malnourished, and three million people have fled their homes in search of safety and security. “Basic social services in Yemen have virtually collapsed, therefore the continued provision of humanitarian assistance remains a lifeline for millions of people who continue to struggle in a crisis that does not make many headlines,” Mr. McGoldrick added.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
