UAE reiterates support for Yemen's stability and development

London: Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Co-operation has reiterated UAE's support for efforts to achieve stability in Yemen and provide dignified living for Yeminis through effective cooperation with international donors. Sheikha Lubna, in a statement on the fringe of the 7th meeting of Friends of Yemen forum in London, UK, emphasised the need for joint international efforts to support Yemen where 58% of the population are in need of humanitarian assistance, 9.9 million people are unable to buy basic food, around one million children suffering from severe malnutrition and 13.1 million people do not have access to clean drinking water. "U.A.E's aid to Yemen in 2013 reached Dh261 million donated by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Red Crescent Authority, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment and others. UAE seeks to achieve international convergence on efforts to tackle the crisis," added Sheikha Lubna who is leading UAE delegation to the group's meeting in London. Minister Al Qasimi hailed the initiative of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as the foundation for restoring stability to Yemen. She expressed UAE's best wishes for a successful outcome for the current Friends of Yemen meeting in London. Set up in 2010, the Friends of Yemen comprises 40 states and organisations which co-ordinate international support for Yemen. – Emirates News Agency, WAM