ERC meets international humanitarian actors to boost aid and development programmes in Yemen

Abu Dhabi, 3rd September, 2015 (WAM) -- The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and representatives of international humanitarian organisations met in Abu Dhabi yesterday to discuss relief and development efforts for improving humanitarian response towards those affected by the evolving crisis in Yemen. The meeting came within the framework of the ERC's drive to energise humanitarian partnerships with international aid agencies on the ground in Yemen which is experiencing tremendous humanitarian challenges due to the ongoing unfortunate events there. The meeting brought together representatives of eight international organisation; Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Doctors Without Borders, World Food Programme (WFP), Norwegian Refugee Council, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), SOS Children’s Village International and Save the Children. Dr. Mohammed Atiq Al Falahi, ERC's Secretary-General, updated the representatives of international organisations on the latest humanitarian situation in Yemen following the field visit he made to Aden recently. He also gave an overview of the ERC's massive initiatives to alleviate suffering in Yemen and its relentless efforts to bring life in Aden and neighboring provinces to the pre-crisis status. Acknowledging the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen due to lack of daily food staples, the two sides stressed the urgency of intensifying efforts and mobilising all available energies to deliver assistance to the Yemeni people as quickly as possible. Current situation in Yemen, they underscored, needs strong joint action to guard against imminent humanitarian risks. The meeting discussed mechanism to remove obstacles hindering delivery of international assistance to Yemen and concurred on enhancing channels of cooperation and coordination so as to deliver best humanitarian services and provide requirements, particularly in health, educational and public services. The two sides also stressed the need for planning field programmes, bolstering joint partnership and sharing information and expertise for tackling logistical challenges hindering swift delivery of assistance to targeted beneficiaries. The two sides also agreed to establish a joint mechanism for coordination between the ERC and international organisations in Yemen. Representatives of the international organisations emphasised the vital importance of efforts being made by the UAE to improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen and highly valued the leading role of the UAE assisting the Yemeni people and rallying support for that by launching the month-long Yemen: We Care relief campaign on 30th August under the directives of the UAE leadership. They noted that their agencies followed with pride the humanitarian and developmental programmes being implemented by the ERC for the benefit of the affected Yemeni people. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395284964043.html