UAE aid to Yemen nears Dh500m

The UAE has spent Dh485 million on aid to assist Yemen, a Ministry of International Cooperation and Development report has shown. EPA

ABU DHABI // The UAE has spent Dh485 million on aid to assist Yemen, a report has shown.

The Ministry of International Cooperation and Development reported that Yemen was short of food and medicines because of the current conflict.

The aid was sent following the directives of the President Sheikh Khalifa, and was sent via several charity organisations in the country including the Emirates Red Crescent and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works.

S A, a Yemeni who lives in Abu Dhabi, said he appreciated the efforts of “his second home” to help his homeland.

“The UAE has done much more than expected in helping [Yemen] to fight the Houthis. Sending the aid shows the brotherly ties will remain intact,” he said.

The largest amount spent was on electricity – Dh170 million – and foodstuffs, at Dh131m.

Medical supplies sent to Yemen cost Dh73m while the cost of water and sanitation products were Dh31 million.

Fuel and shelter were also provided, costing Dh12 million and Dh10 million respectively.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said the UAE was among the first countries to provide relief to Yemen and that such efforts were intended to end the suffering of the people.

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation, backed Sheikh Mansour’s stance.

“The UAE is committed to the alleviation of the crisis on the affected Yemenis by identifying and providing urgent humanitarian needs, which include food, medical, water and sanitation, fuel,” she said.

“The UAE does not hesitate to provide relief aid to those affected by all humanitarian crises,” she said.