Statement by Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey on Yemen

Press Release Shim

Speeches Shim

For Immediate Release

Thursday, December 21, 2017
Office of Press Relations
Telephone: +1.202.712.4320 | Email: press@usaid.gov

 
The United States welcomes the announcement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that all humanitarian and commercial goods, including fuel, will be allowed to pass freely through the port of Hudaydah. We also welcome the news that four U.S.-funded cranes will be installed at this port, which are vital to moving life-saving goods into Yemen efficiently. We encourage the Saudi-led Coalition to keep this policy in place - access to vital humanitarian and commercial supplies must be separated from negotiations on security and political conditions. We also call on the international community to fully engage with the Coalition and all parties to the conflict to improve the flow of essential supplies to the Yemeni people.

The United States remains extremely concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. More than 22 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, as the country faces the largest food-security emergency and the worst outbreak of cholera in the world.

Since Fiscal Year 2015, the United States has provided more than $1.3 billion to help the Yemeni people. As the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Yemen, we call on all parties to increase the unfettered flow of humanitarian and commercial goods into the country at all times. We also urge all parties to protect civilians and the aid workers who work at great personal risk to deliver life-saving assistance.

Ultimately, to end the suffering of millions of people in Yemen, a political solution to this conflict must be found. The United States strongly condemns the recent Houthi missile attack, and calls on all parties to stop hostilities. We remain committed to supporting the people of Yemen while the international community and Yemenis themselves work toward a comprehensive peace agreement.