About 400,000 children in Yemen, along with their parents, are starving because of the war that has torn apart their country for years on end. Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis with more than 24 million people, which equates to around 80 per cent of the population, in need of some form of humanitarian assistance or protection. Years of conflict, economic decline and institutional collapse have created enormous humanitarian needs in all sectors. The scale, severity and complexity of needs in Yemen are staggering. Over 230 of Yemen’s 333 governorates are food insecure, while at the same time, Yemen continues to grapple with the effects of cholera, the Covid-19 pandemic, forced displacement protection risks and a series of other challenges, which include jobless families and inoperable hospitals. The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs will be sponsoring the shipment of a to Yemen, following an initiative by the Malta-India Business Council to send necessary items such as clothes, blankets, baby food, baby ware and other essential items, donated by the people of Malta and Gozo, for babies and children suffering from hardship and hunger in Yemen. The initiative, entitled ‘WICCI Humanitarian Aid Women for Peace’, is the idea of a group of Maltese women who are members of the Malta-India Business Council, which forms part of the global network ‘Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI)’. During a symbolic ceremony held on Sunday 14th February 2021 at the Marsa Industrial Estate, President of the Malta-India Business Council Dame Jane Chircop held that the response to the public plea on social media by the Maltese and Gozitans was overwhelming. She said that, once again, the generosity of the Maltese and the Gozitans has been put to the test and this has extended to those in need, even beyond our shores. On behalf of the Malta-India Business Council, she thanked Minister Evarist Bartolo for responding immediately to the call for the Ministry to cover the costs of sending a container to Yemen. Bartolo said that, although hailing from such a small country, Maltese people have a big heart and are always ready to help those who are suffering. He expressed his gratitude to the women who took the initiative to raise aid for Yemen, and to all those who helped as best they could. He noted that the aid to be sent to Yemen will arrive through Oman, which is a neutral country like Malta and is not involved in the war in Yemen. President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry David Xuereb praised the WICCI for their initiative and the support of the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs towards this noble cause. “As Malta’s foremost business representative body, we strive to promote the values of compassion and solidarity. We are proud of our business community which exhibits these values. We should all be motivated to follow such examples of businesses focused on delivering a robust social foundation for our communities,” he said. Also in attendance were Vice President of the Malta-India Business Council Doreen Cutrona, as well as Joseph Galea, a representative of the Order of St. John, which also made its contribution to the cause. Due to the situation in Yemen, Ambassador of Malta to Oman Paul Mifsud will follow the shipment of the container through Oman.