Denmark is sending DKK 125 million for humanitarian efforts in war-torn Yemen.
This was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday in a press release.
Yemen, according to the UN, is heading for the worst famine disaster seen in the world in decades. Thus, about 400,000 children under the age of five are so malnourished and weak that they are in danger of dying within a short time.
– The crisis in Yemen is unfortunately often overlooked, even though the situation for the country’s inhabitants is deeply critical, and there is now a danger of real famine, says Development Minister Flemming Møller Mortensen (S) in the press release.
– There is a great need for more funds for the humanitarian efforts if we are to avoid a famine. That is why I have decided to provide a total of 125 million kroner to Yemen.
– I hope that Denmark can thus help to improve the situation for the many vulnerable in Yemen, not least the children, he says.
With the latest donation, Denmark’s total humanitarian aid to Yemen since 2015 amounts to DKK 890 million.
The contribution of DKK 125 million was announced on Monday at an international conference hosted by the UN, Switzerland and Sweden.
The conference focused on how the world community can secure funding for the humanitarian efforts in Yemen, efforts that lack money.
According to the UN, Yemen’s need for emergency aid and protection is about four billion dollars, which is equivalent to about 24.7 billion kroner.
The crisis in Yemen has its origins in the conflict between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels that has been going on since 2015.
The 125 million kroner will be used, among other things, through the UN Humanitarian Country Fund for Yemen and organizations such as Unicef and the International Red Cross.