Saudi Gazette report

NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia is committed to making all efforts to improve the lives of Yemenis, and it is the largest donor of aid to its neighbor, said Abdullah Bin Yahya Al-Muallami, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the United Nations, on Monday.

He also said that Saudi Arabia has provided more than $17 billion in humanitarian and development aid to Yemen since 2015.

Al-Muallami made the remarks in a speech during a virtual meeting organized by the United Nations on the humanitarian situation in Yemen entitled “Avoiding famine in Yemen: What can we do in 2021”.

Al-Muallami stated that Saudi Arabia pledged to provide $500 million this year, of which $300 million is meant for projects implemented through UN agencies, and $200 million is allocated for supporting projects through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) in Yemen.

He pointed out that the aid is being delivered in different regions through projects implemented by UN agencies and KSrelief, especially in the field of food security, as the Kingdom has so far provided more than $1 billion in projects related to food security in Yemen.

Al-Muallami emphasized that Saudi Arabia is a strong partner of the UN and other international and regional organizations, and remains committed to the efforts made to promote a political solution in Yemen.

He drew attention to the efforts made recently by the Kingdom regarding the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, and the importance of the Houthi side being committed to promoting peace and stopping hostile acts.

Al-Muallami stated that the worsening of the unfortunate humanitarian situation in Yemen is the result of continued hostilities by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia, and their long record of obstructing the delivery of all kinds of aid, including food to the Yemeni people in the areas controlled by them.