US announces $24M in new Yemen aid

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. on Tuesday announced it is providing an additional $24 million in emergency aid to assist humanitarian efforts in Yemen.

That brings all U.S. aid for the crisis-hit country to $721 million since October 2017, according to the State Department.

The new funds will go toward the purchase of emergency shelter and relief items as well as other unspecified supplies for displaced Yemenis, and will bolster ongoing logistical efforts.

Yemen's population is facing a staggering humanitarian crisis with the UN warning that most Yemenis are on the brink of starvation.

"Nearly 20 million Yemenis do not have access to basic health care, and more than five million are one step removed from famine," the State Department said.

"Without continuing large-scale international humanitarian efforts, many more would face life-threatening hunger, and could die from preventable disease. It is critical that humanitarian supplies and commercial imports — especially food, fuel, and medicine — flow into and throughout Yemen freely, and without delay," it added.

Yemen has been wracked by conflict since Houthi rebels overran wide sections of the country, including the capital, Sanaa, starting in 2015.

A Saudi-led coalition has worked to roll back their advances but has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Prior to the conflict Yemen was already the Arab world's poorest nation.