Local Editor
Ireland is to pledge €5m in aid to Yemen to help what has been described by the United Nations as the "world's worst humanitarian crisis".
Addressing an international pledging conference in Geneva, Minister for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon said Ireland was committed to playing its part in the aid response.
"In 2019 we will disperse a further €5m to the Yemen humanitarian fund. This will bring our total funding to Yemen since 2012 to over €21m,” Cannon said.
He added, "Ireland remains fully committed to the multi-lateral response to the situation in Yemen, notably through CERF [the UN Central Emergency Response Fund], where Ireland is one of the top ten donors."
A UN conference in Geneva is hoping to raise $4.2bn (€3.7bn) to fund humanitarian operations in Yemen, where a Saudi-led war has left the country on the brink of famine.
Cannon also paid tribute to humanitarian aid workers working in Yemen, who he said worked in dangerous conditions to get humanitarian assistance to those in need.
"Working amidst the devastating evidence of humanity's worst instincts, their efforts exemplify the best of all people, the best of all of us," he said.
The minister said all parties must ensure full access for humanitarian assistance to all parts of Yemen and the safety and security of humanitarian workers and those upholding humanitarian law.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
