The UAE provided humanitarian aid worth Dh 485 million to Yemen this year in response to the humanitarian situation in that country, the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development announced in a report issued yesterday.

The humanitarian assistance came as part of the efforts to implement the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to provide urgent food and medical assistance to the people of Yemen, who are suffering from a severe shortage of food and medicines due to the unfolding developments in Yemen.

The aid included Dh 170 million to provide electric power, Dh 131 million for food, Dh 73 million for medical supplies and Dh 58 million to provide a variety of relief items.

The UAE humanitarian donor bodies played a key role in providing aid to victims of the current humanitarian conditions through launching airlift operations aimed at providing various kinds of relief assistance to them.

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD), emphasised that "The UAE is committed to alleviating the crisis gripping Yemenis by providing urgent humanitarian aid, which includes food, medical supplies, water and sanitation stuff, fuel and humanitarian assistance."

She added that the UAE does not hesitate to provide various kinds of support and launching relief bridges for those affected by any kind of humanitarian crises, and "this approach has contributed to positioning the country among the top humanitarian donors."