Statement on Yemen by Rt Hon Alistair Burt, MP
Minister of State for the Middle East calls for immediate restoration of commercial and humanitarian access to all areas of Yemen.
A child is screened for malnutrition in Yemen, October 2017. Picture: UNICEF
Responding to the recent escalation of violence in Yemen, Alistair Burt, Minister of State for the Middle East, said:
I am extremely concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Yemen which has led to further tragic deaths and stopped many others from getting lifesaving food, water and medicine. There is no military solution to the conflict and all sides must urgently de-escalate the fighting and find a comprehensive political solution.
Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and the situation is deteriorating every day. All parties must safeguard civilians, critical infrastructure, and aid workers, and I reiterate the Prime Minister’s call for the immediate restoration of commercial and humanitarian access to all areas of Yemen.
UK aid has provided food to almost two million people and clean water to over one million more, but in a country that depends overwhelmingly on imports for basic supplies including food, fuel, and medicine, unhindered access is the only way to avoid a famine.
I pay tribute to heroic humanitarian workers – British, internationals and Yemenis – who are helping to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people under extremely difficult circumstances.
ENDS
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