Statement: UK Aid Cuts to Yemen "Devastating"

Earlier today, the United Nations and the governments of Sweden and Switzerland concluded a High-Level Pledging Event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Support from the international community is urgently needed to save lives, restore livelihoods and fund early recovery. 

Selena Victor, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy says:

“As famine looms and more than 16 million Yemenis face hunger this year, we are devastated to learn that the UK is more than halving its aid budget to Yemen.

“At the start of this year, the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab declared that the UK wants to be a ‘problem-solving, conflict-resolving and conflict management country.’ This bold ambition cannot be realised with these devastating budget cuts. 

“If ‘Global Britain’ is to live up to its name, the UK government should urgently reconsider these budget cuts, lead by example and not leave millions of Yemeni people behind.“

Mercy Corps has worked in Yemen since 2010, and remains committed to helping save lives and rebuilding livelihoods of all communities across the country. Last year we reached more than 1.1 million Yemenis with food, access to clean water and health care, and opportunities to improve their own ability to earn an income and support their families.