The UK announces new UK food security support for Yemen as
Russian invasion of Ukraine drives food and fuel price increases.
The UK will directly support up to 40,000 Yemeni people a month
to alleviate hunger and poverty as part of a new package of food
security support announced by Minister today.
During a visit to Jordan the Minister signed an agreement
launching the BRIGHTLY consortium, a government-NGO partnership
to deliver the UK’s flagship food security programme in Yemen.
The partnership will harness the expertise and access NGOs can
provide and will have Yemenis at the heart of decision making.
As the World Food Programme noted
in December, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated
the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by pushing up food prices.
Minister for Development said:
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has ratcheted up food and fuel
prices in Yemen and pushed more Yemeni people into poverty.
Today I am announcing further UK support to alleviate the impact
of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The UK continues to work with our partners to extend the truce in
Yemen and promote serious dialogue on ending the conflict for
good.
The BRIGHTLY consortium is made up of NGOs and will work with and
through local and international NGOs to provide cash transfers to
up to 40,000 Yemenis per month. The simultaneous provision
of cash and livelihood support has proven to be an effective
approach to building resilience and empowering households to
escape poverty.
This financial year, UK aid is already helping feed 200,000
people every month in Yemen, provide lifesaving health care for
800,000 women and children, and treat 85,000 severely
malnourished children.
The announcement of new support comes at the end of a
three-country visit to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In
Turkey, the minister saw
first-hand the impact of UK support to Turkey and Syria in the
aftermath of the earthquake earlier this month.
In Saudi Arabia, gave the keynote speech at
the Riyadh Development Forum on 21st February, in which he made
the case for ‘anticipatory action’ to mitigate the impacts of
humanitarian crises on the most vulnerable and reduce
humanitarian needs before they happen.
In Jordan, the Minister saw first-hand the continuing impact of
the conflict in Syria when he visited the Zaatari refugee camp,
which he helped to set up as Secretary of State for Development
in 2012. This year UK Aid has supported 70,000 Syrian refugees in
Jordan, and helped provide a quality education to 150,000
children. UK Aid to Jordan is also helping the most vulnerable
Jordanians and supporting Jordan’s economic stability.
Minister Mitchell met with Prime Minister Dr Bisher Al-Khasawneh
to reinforce the strength of the bilateral partnership and commit
to continuing to support Jordan’s economic, political and public
sector reform.
He also signed an agreement with the Jordanian Minister of
Planning and International Cooperation to provide new support for
the delivery of Jordan’s National Action Plan (JONAP) on Women
Peace and Security. The JONAP has so far seen women’s
participation across all of Jordan’s security institutions
increase significantly.
