Yemen can’t wait: Third Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting

The European Commission and Sweden co-hosted the third Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting on the crisis in Yemen, bringing together representatives from donors, international and Yemeni non-governmental organizations, and FAO and other United Nations agencies.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič reiterated EU commitments to support the most vulnerable, and to uphold humanitarian principles and global accountability standards. He called upon all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and allow the delivery of urgently needed aid to the affected population throughout the country.

AbdulHakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, urged the international community to go beyond food assistance, and to scale up efforts to address the underlying causes of chronic vulnerability and acute food insecurity and malnutrition in Yemen.

Eighty percent of the population is currently food insecure, while “two out of three Yemenis derive their livelihoods from agriculture,” the Assistant Director-General noted. He also highlighted FAO’s work in the country, including with national institutions and partners, to build stronger and more resilient agrifood systems that can serve in turn to support the livelihoods and increased resilience of the Yemeni people.

Despite the challenging environment, FAO continues to play a pivotal role in providing emergency assistance in Yemen. At the same time, the Organization is also working to prepare an enabling environment for the country’s future, including a reconstruction process that should be supported by all.