ABU DHABI // Two million Yemenis have benefited from Dh1.64 billion in humanitarian aid from the UAE.
The Ministry of International Cooperation and Development says the focus of the aid has been food, energy, health, education and water. Funds were also used to rebuild and repair infrastructure.
The assistance has reached nine Yemeni governorates. Aden, Taiz, Lahj, Al-Dalea, Shabwa, Abyan, Hadramaut, Al-Mahara, and Marib were the main beneficiaries in addition to the island of Socotra.
Eleven hospitals and 154 schools were supported by the UAE’s assistance, as well as ports, airports, power stations, water facilities and medical centres. More than 100 wells were drilled to provide residents with clean water.
The UAE has also announced it will provide an extra US$20 million (Dh73.6m) to support humanitarian operations run by UN agencies and the International Red Crescent working in Yemen.
Emergency power stations were also provided by the UAE to restore the electricity in Aden. This have significantly contributed to the return of electricity and return of life back to the city, the ministry said.
The UAE is backing its humanitarian assistance with action towards supporting recovery and rehabilitation of all sectors and institutions that are key to the war torn country’s stability.
An increasing number of people are affected by the crisis in Yemen and it is posing a serious challenge to the international community due to damage to essential infrastructure in many cities of the war-torn country, the ministry said.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai this week, Yemeni prime minister Khaled Bahah said efforts are underway to end terror attacks in the country, with the military focused on liberating the city of Taez. He said the country has a vision to reconstruct after the war.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae