Today, the United States announced nearly $87 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help the people of Yemen, who face the world's largest food-security emergency and worst cholera outbreak, driven by more than three years of war. This funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Yemen response since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017 to more than $854 million.

More than 22 million people in Yemen are in need of humanitarian aid. The new funding will provide food assistance, and pay for safe drinking water, treatment for malnourished children, emergency shelter, protection, medical supplies, and other critical support for millions of vulnerable Yemenis and refugees who are living in Yemen. To deliver this assistance to people in need, relief supplies and aid workers must be able to move freely through all entry points, and throughout the country. In addition, commercial imports, which account for most of Yemen's food, fuel, and medicine, must have the same freedom of movement.

We recognize that humanitarian assistance on its own will not prevent the collapse of key social and economic institutions in Yemen. For that reason, the United States has been increasing its development assistance to build on our ongoing humanitarian efforts. We are in the process of providing $55 million in economic and development assistance, pending Congressional approval, to help lay a stronger foundation for Yemen's recovery, including through programs to support livelihoods, rehabilitate critical infrastructure, such as water systems, and restore access to education so children can learn and prepare for their future.

We thank the donors who have helped relieve this urgent crisis - including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have recently fulfilled large pledges to the United Nations - and call on other donors to step up in this grave time of need. While these contributions will provide some immediate relief, no amount of humanitarian or development assistance will end this conflict and the suffering of millions. An enduring solution will only come through a comprehensive political agreement.