UAE supports WFP in fighting hunger in Yemen

NEW YORK, 25th September, 2016 (WAM) -- The United Nations World Food Programme, WFP, has welcomed a contribution of US$6 million from the UAE to provide vital food assistance to more than 100,000 people in Yemen.

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Ertharin Cousin, WFP Executive Director, signed an agreement on Thursday on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meetings in New York.

The WFP will use the UAE's contribution to buy 7,000 metric tons of staple food-stuff including wheat, pulses, vegetable oil and sugar, as well as wheat soya blend, a special product to prevent and treat malnutrition among children under the age of 5 and pregnant and nursing mothers.

"We appreciate this contribution from the United Arab Emirates because it will help us provide vital food assistance to families who struggle to feed themselves and their children in Yemen," said Ms. Cousin. "Over the years, our partnership with the UAE has helped save millions of lives worldwide. We can always count on the generosity of the UAE and its people in these difficult times."

Commenting on the agreement, Reem Al Hashemi said, "Providing such assistance is part of the pledge to support the humanitarian and relief efforts for those affected people, especially women and children, within the framework of the humanitarian approach that the UAE adopts."

She added, "The UAE looks forward to achieve more effective work and strengthen the partnership with the WFP for the ultimate goal of providing relief to those who are suffering the most."

The number of 'food insecure' people in Yemen is estimated at close to 14 million, according to a WFP food security assessment in June of this year. This includes 7 million people who are severely food insecure, with 70 percent of the population of some governorates unable to provide food for themselves.