The Houthi militia has repeatedly dismissed the Yemeni government’s efforts for a coordinated response against the coronavirus pandemic, state news agency Saba reported.

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik said the government had initially agreed to a UN proposal for both sides to cooperate in tackling the outbreak, but the Houthis refused to cooperate.

Instead, Abdulmalik said, the Houthis have escalated the violence in the country despite a raging health crisis.

The prime minister was speaking with Niel Annen, the German Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office.

Both officials discussed the results of the pledging conference which Saudi Arabia has lead to raise funds for Yemen.

Germany has pledged $141.1 million in support of war-torn Yemen.