UN seeks $4.27 billion in appeal for war-ravaged Yemen

A United Nations appeal for Yemen is aiming at raising $4.27 billion to alleviate what it describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 161,000 people likely to experience famine there in 2022

A United Nations appeal for Yemen on Wednesday is aiming at raising $4.27 billion to alleviate what it describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 1,61,000 people likely to experience famine there in 2022.

The virtual pledging conference is co-hosted by Sweden and Switzerland. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will address donors on the dire needs of the Arab world’s poorest country.

The conference comes as world attention is gripped by the war in Ukraine, which has overshadowed other humanitarian crises across the world since the Russian invasion on February 24 — raising concerns that that Yemen’s plight may be forgotten. Over 3 million people have fled Ukraine, in Europe’s largest exodus since World War II.

“The Ukrainian crisis could also dramatically impact Yemenis’ access to food," said Erin Hutchinson, Yemen director at the Norwegian Refugee Council. "We hope that Yemenis will find the same level of support and solidarity as we’ve seen with the people of Ukraine."

Speaking in a briefing ahead of the fundraising conference, Swedish diplomat Carl Skau urged donors to pay attention to Yemen. “While Ukraine understandably and rightly requires our urgent attention, we can’t drop the ball on other crises,” he said.

A prolonged conflict in Ukraine is likely to further reduce Yemenis' access to their basic needs, as food prices, especially the cost of grain, are likely to increase. Yemen depends almost entirely on food imports, with 22% of its wheat imports coming from Ukraine, according to the World Food Program.

“The horrendous situation in Ukraine will have an indirect and direct impact on our ability to assist children in Yemen,” said Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF's representative in Yemen. “Operations around the world will be more expensive.”