Millions of Yemenis benefit from Emirates Red Crescent Ramadan programmes

Clothes, food and other humanitarian aid distributed

Emirates Red Crescent is distributing 2,000 food baskets and relief in Taez, Yemen. Wam

More than seven million people have benefited from Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Ramadan programmes in the Yemeni governorates of Shabwa, Hadramwt, Taez, Hodeidah, Aden and Socotra, state news agency Wam reported.

Clothes, food and other humanitarian aid was distributed in time for Ramadan, which is expected to begin early next month.

The programmes follow a directive from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Mohammed Al Falahi, ERC secretary general, said the assistance shows the UAE's commitment to Yemen.

The conflict in Yemen began when Iran-backed Houthi rebels took over the capital Sanaa in 2014, starting a civil war that has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The UAE this week called on the international community to exert more pressure on the rebels.

It has provided Yemen with more than $6.3 billion of aid since 2015.

Yemen's animal rescuers – in pictures