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<p>As Mark Lowcock, the UN Under Secretary General, explained to the UN Security Council
on 23 October, Yemen’s recent economic crisis threatens to tip the country into famine,
with the Yemeni Riyal losing over 40% of its value from June to October 2018.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK led discussions with the US, Saudi Arabia and the United
Arab Emirates so the Central Bank of Yemen could release $270 million, provided by
Saudi Arabia, in letters of credit to support commercial food importers with foreign
currency to purchase wheat and other staples for import. These measures have resulted
in an appreciation of the Riyal, and prices of staples are starting to decline which
means that ordinary Yemenis are more able to buy food that is in the markets.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>However, much more remains to be done. We welcome the positive
outcomes of consultations in Stockholm and continue to encourage further constructive
and urgent engagement on the economy. A political settlement is the only way to bring
long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.</p><p>
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