The Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, issued a statement on February 12, 2018, welcoming the $1 billion aid pledge by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to support the humanitarian efforts in Yemen, and their commitment to raise an additional $500 million from donors in the region.

The statement referenced the Kingdom and the UAE agreeing with the UN on the modalities to transfer, where $930 million would go to the 2018 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (YHRP), to be used on pure humanitarian needs regardless of any other consideration. An additional $70 million will bilaterally be provided to support port rehabilitation and infrastructure work in Yemen. These actions are part of the YCHO plan announced in January 2018.

The aid provided by the Saudi-led Coalition reflects a half of the funds requested by the YHRP, set at $2.96 billion, which is required to address the humanitarian conditions in Yemen and provide immediate relief, including reducing hunger, containing disease, provide essential mental health support, and other necessary services. The funds will address the immediate needs of the Yemeni people, as well as, support the long-term process of rebuilding Yemen. Undersecretary Lowcock hopes that the generosity of the Kingdom and the UAE spurs others in the international community to contribute to this important effort prior to the international pledging conference on Yemen in Geneva on April 3.