The Emirates Red Crescent is continuing its relief assistance for low-income families in the Shabwa Governorate in Yemen distributing 2,000 food baskets as part of its latest efforts to improve the living and economic conditions of people there.
“We are continuing efforts to improve the lives of Yemenis and alleviate their suffering and intend to reach the largest number of beneficiaries as possible,” Mohammad Saif Al Muhairi, Head of the ERC team in Shabwa, said.
The food baskets were sent to Radfan in the Mayfa’a District in Shabwa province, which has been struck by the cholera epidemic.
“Special attention will be given to patients and needy people,” Ahmad Al Neyadi, Deputy Head of the ERC team in Hadramout, said.
“We will continue to fill the food gap caused by the economic hardship the governorate is experiencing.”
Meanwhile, Mohammad Al Ketbi, Director of ERC in Aden, and Victor Kubian, Director of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security, met on Sunday in Aden.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to reach affected Yemenis in conflict-ridden areas and how to enhance cooperation and coordination between the groups.
Al Ketbi said the ERC wanted to team up with various international organisations to help provide humanitarian and food aid to the Yemeni people.
The Yemeni government accuses Iran-backed Al Houthi militants of hijacking medical equipment brought in by aid agencies so the aid doesn’t reach the people most affected.
Al Houthis led a coup against the internationally-recognised Yemeni president Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in 2014 and since then a Saudi-led Arab coalition has stepped up efforts to restore the legitimate government.
More than three million people have been displaced in the ensuing conflict and much of the country’s infrastructure including its health system has been destroyed.
At least 10,000 people have been killed in the fighting, which has unleashed a humanitarian crisis.
The country of 27 million is also facing a cholera epidemic that has affected 473,000 people and killed nearly 2,000.
The UN has so far only received 15 per cent of $2.1 billion sought in aid for Yemen this year.
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