| answer text |
We have made clear to all parties to the conflict that they must take all reasonable
steps to facilitate access for humanitarian aid, and have emphasised the importance
of non-politicisation of aid, as well as the need to facilitate access for commercial
goods. The UK is also supporting the UN in working with the Saudi-led military coalition
and Government of Yemen to make the system for verifying shipping more efficient,
which should further ease access for aid. The Foreign Secretary met President Hadi
on 28 September and spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Al Jubeir on 29 September in the
margins of the UN General Assembly, and underlined the importance the UK attaches
to finding a political solution to the current crisis as soon as possible. The Foreign
Secretary also reinforced the necessity of full compliance with international humanitarian
law and of facilitating access humanitarian and commercial shipping to the Saudi Foreign
Minister. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend
the Member for Putney (Justine Greening) co-chaired an international meeting on the
Yemen humanitarian crisis on 28 September in the margins of the UN General Assembly.
This was attended by representatives of the military coalition governments and by
the government of Yemen. In this meeting, she reiterated that it was critical for
all parties to the conflict to facilitate immediate humanitarian access into and within
Yemen, and lift any restrictions on commercial and humanitarian shipping. To tackle
the humanitarian crisis, the UK has so far announced £75 million – through UN agencies
and humanitarian NGOs - to support Yemenis affected by the crisis, including those
forced to flee their homes, with emergency shelter, healthcare, water and food assistance,
as well as supporting UN work to co-ordinate the humanitarian response.
|
|
