The European Commission announced today at the United Nations in Geneva its intention to release further support of €116 million for those in need in Yemen. As the released issued by the Commission website details, the support includes €46 million of emergency humanitarian aid and €70 million to support resilience and early recovery in 2017.

The source remind that Yemen has become one of the world's largest humanitarian crises after 2 years of conflict with 18.8 million people, almost 70% of the Yemeni population in need of assistance.

Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, representing the EU at the pledging conference today in Geneva said, "The EU is stepping up vital humanitarian assistance to provide essentials like food, nutrition, health care and water for conflict-affected people in Yemen. The whole country is suffocating from a lack of food, of water, fuel, and the economy is collapsing."

"Civilians are paying the highest price for the conflict and attacks, including against aid workers, which continue to happen. The EU is committed to supporting the Yemeni people and we encourage the international community to step up its collective humanitarian response,” he added.

The on-going conflict, the destruction of basic infrastructure, compounded by the collapse of the economy and financial system has severely limited imports of food, medicine and fuel.

Humanitarian organisations estimate that more than 17 million people are food insecure; 7 million of them are at risk of famine. 2 million children are suffering from malnutrition, and without any treatment 462 000 of them may die in the coming months. 14.8 million are in need of health care and 14.5 million lack access to water and sanitation. 4.5 million need access to shelter and household items.