Yemen: Donors' conference collects half of the aid requested

The United Nations has raised only half of the $ 2.4 billion claimed for war-torn Yemen and the new coronavirus after a video conference with Saudi Arabia on June 2, 2020 SPA / AFP

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The donor conference on Yemen has raised only half of the $ 2.4 billion claimed to try to end the humanitarian crisis there. Yemen has been at war for 5 years and is also affected by the coronavirus. 

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One billion 350 million dollars, according to the UN. That's all that could be harvested for Yemen, half less than expected, half less than last year too.

However, António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations had raised a cry of alarm before the start of this conference, which was held exceptionally by video. It's a race against time,  " he said.

Thirty programs assisting Yemenis could be shut down for lack of funding. And Yemen needs it more than it needs. In this country at war for more than 5 years, 80% of the population lives on humanitarian aid.

The Covid-19 could further worsen the situation. Even if the official figures remain low, the UN and NGOs estimate that the epidemic affects a large part of the country.

The donors' conference on Yemen is organized by the United Nations but also by Saudi Arabia, a party to the conflict since it militarily supports the Yemeni government against the Houthi rebels. The latter accuse the Saudis of attempting, with this conference, "  to cover their crimes  ".

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