UAE provided Dh7.3bn in aid to Yemen since 2015, report says

The aid from the UAE targeted about 10 million Yemenis, including about four million children.

ABU DHABI // The UAE has provided Dh7.3 billion in aid to Yemen since April 2015, targeting about 10 million Yemenis, including four million children.

Wam, the state news agency, reported on Thursday that the Emirates have provided polio and measles vaccines to 488,000 children in 11 governorates, including 130,000 infants under the age of one, and 358,000 children between ages one and five.

The United Nations organisation Unicef said last month that more than 70 per cent of Yemenis need some kind of assistance, with 2.2 million displaced and 460,000 children facing severe malnutrition.

Food aid totalling 172,000 tonnes and 111 tonnes of medication and other medical supplies have been provided, as well as ambulances and medical devices, Wam, the state news agency, reported.

The UAE provided Dh5.3bn in development aid, with nearly Dh1bn for power generation. The funds covered operational costs of electricity generation, and diesel and fuel generators were supplied to Aden, Abyan, Hadramout, Marib and Mahra governorates.

Power plants were built in Aden, and in Mukalla, spare electrical parts were provided and maintenance costs were covered to help solve the power outage problem there.

The Emirates Red Crescent has a solar-powered water generator project in Al Aik region of Al Reeda and Qusayr, located on the Hadramout coast.

Funds to support the Yemeni public budget, amounting to Dh2.63bn, have also been providing, to cover budget items relating to payment of government employee salaries.

The UAE has also given Dh534.8 million in aid for Yemen’s transport sector, providing vehicles for civil transport and water and fuel transport in Aden, Marib, Hadramout, Al Mahra and Socotra Island. The UAE also has reconstructed Aden airport and Socotra Island port.