Sweden is hosting the UN conference on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen
SWEDEN, March 16 – Sweden, together with Switzerland and the UN, will host an international pledge conference for Yemen on March 16. The aim is to mobilize continued support for the UN-led humanitarian operation in Yemen, which is facing growing challenges due to the war in Ukraine.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opens the conference and Foreign Minister Ann Linde represents Sweden. UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also attend.
Yemen is currently suffering from one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. More than 23 million people are in need of help and protection, as the situation has worsened due to intensified fighting and the covid-19 pandemic.
Due to the war in Ukraine, the prices of essential food and fuel are rising, resulting in a dramatic increase in the cost of humanitarian action. While Sweden and the international community are joining forces to respond to the acute humanitarian situation in Ukraine, engagement in other humanitarian crises such as the one in Yemen must continue.
“The situation in Yemen is urgent. We must do everything we can to alleviate the suffering. Millions of people are on the brink of starvation, and many are at risk of dying. A concerted effort is needed to gather resources so that emergency rescue efforts can continue,” said the Foreign Minister. Ann Linde.
This is the fifth year that Sweden and Switzerland are hosting the annual pledging conference. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will chair the conference, along with Linde and the Swiss Federation’s President and Secretary of State Ignazio Cassis, as well as Vice-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie will share her impressions of her travels in Yemen last week.
In connection with the pledge conference, Sweden and Switzerland will host a side event on the role of women in the humanitarian effort, and Minister for International Development Cooperation Matilda Ernkrans will give the opening speech. Participants include UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and senior female representatives of Yemeni civil society.
“Humanitarian organizations in Yemen are working in a very difficult environment. We want to highlight the special challenges that female humanitarian personnel face and the important work they perform there, says Ernkrans.
The promise conference will be streamed on a live webcast on UN web TV on March 16 at 2:30 p.m. The side event about the role of Yemeni women will be streamed live Youtube on March 16 at 12:45 p.m.
Read more about the conference and the side event.
Press release from OCHA: Donors Meet to Pledge Support for Humanitarian Response in Yemen