I share the concerns regarding the crisis in Yemen and the plight of the Yemeni people who are caught up in the conflict and suffering from one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. That is why I am proud that the UK is leading the international community to do more to respond. Since the conflict began, the UK has committed over £1 billion of funding, which has helped meet the immediate food needs of millions of Yemenis, treated thousands of children for malnutrition and provided over one million people with improved water supply and basic sanitation.

Since illegally seizing power in 2014, the Houthis have prevented aid from getting to those who need it most in northern Yemen and attacked oil infrastructure, depriving the Government of Yemen of a major revenue source. More recently, the Houthis have attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which risks driving up the costs of supplies of food and humanitarian aid further. 

I am pleased that the Government has announced that it will increase its humanitarian aid by 58% for the 2024-25 financial year to support those most in need in Yemen, including women and girls. This £139 million commitment, delivered through partners such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and others will help save lives. Through this funding, the UK will provide cash transfers which will help to feed up to 864,000 people and support 500 health facilities with the medicines, vaccines and nutritional supplements they need to treat 700,000 severely malnourished children.   

The UK’s long-standing position on Yemen is that there is no military solution to this conflict and only a political settlement can bring long-term stability. I have been assured that the UK is not a party to the military conflict as part of the Saudi-led coalition. The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to bring a peaceful solution to the appalling conflict in Yemen, fully supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and the UN Special Envoy’s peace plan.