The UK and the Netherlands, in partnership with the United
Nations (UN), co-hosted a
fundraising event which now enables the UN to start the operation to prevent
a major oil spill from the FSO Safer oil tanker off the coast of
Yemen.
Unmaintained since 2015, an explosion or leak from the tanker
could occur at any moment, spilling over one million barrels of
oil into the Red Sea. Such a spill would cost an estimated £16
billion to clean up, devastate marine life, exacerbate an already
dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, and hinder an estimated 10%
of global trade costing billions more every day.
The conference raised over £6 million. This followed £80 million
already pledged by over 20 other countries and a range of private
sector donors. With this boost in funds, the United Nations can
now start the operation to transfer the oil onto a replacement
vessel and resolve the immediate threat.
Minister for Development announced an additional
£2.5 million from the UK bringing our total commitment to £8
million.
FCDO Minister
for Development and Africa said:
This conference has made vital progress towards avoiding an
environmental, economic and humanitarian catastrophe on a massive
scale.
The Safer tanker is at real risk of leaking. I am proud of the
UK’s leadership on this crisis and we now look to
the UN to begin the
emergency operation as soon as possible.
Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
Liesje Schreinemacher said:
The international community has a unique opportunity to stave off
disaster. Let’s demonstrate our commitment to protecting people
and the planet.
We call on the rest of the international community and the
private sector to work together to secure the remaining funding
necessary to fully cover the costs incurred by
the UN and provide
a long-term solution for the tanker.
