UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock warned the UN Security Council yesterday that “the specter of famine” has returned to war-torn Yemen and for the first time singled out Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait for giving nothing to this year’s $3.4 billion appeal. He said the UN appeal has received only 30%, about $1 billion, leaving 9 million Yemenis to cope with deepening cuts to aid programs including food, water and health care. Lowcock said Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and Kuwait “who have a particular responsibility, which they have discharged in recent years, have so far given nothing to this year’s UN plan.”
“Continuing to hold back money from the humanitarian response now will be a death sentence for many families,” Lowcock said. “So yet again, I call on all donors to pay their pledges now and increase their support.”
