ERC Begins Distribution Of Urgent Humanitarian Aid To Liberated Areas Of Hodeidah, Yemen

HODEIDAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 17th Jun, 2018) Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the supervision of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), ERC yesterday commenced distribution of urgent humanitarian aid to people in liberated areas of Hodeidah.

The distribution of humanitarian aid in the liberated areas is aimed at easing the suffering of the brotherly people of Yemen. Most of the families in Hodeidah are going through severe economic hardships due to the depredations of the Houthi militias, living in appalling conditions.

The move coincided with the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, bringing happiness and joy to the Yemeni people. The aid distributed is helping improve the living conditions in liberated areas in Hodeidah, as in other areas on the Red Sea Coast no longer under Houthi control.

Dr. Al Hassan Ali Taher, Governor of Hodeidah, said in a statement to the Emirates news Agency (WAM) that the UAE’s significant efforts to support Yemen, its people and its legitimate government are noble and reflect the policies of its wise leadership, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa.

He added that the UAE’s ongoing support for Yemen, especially for the residents of the Red Sea Coast, has never slacked. The UAE and its leadership have always stood by Yemen and offered all support to its people, he added.

"The UAE is doing all it can to liberate Yemen from the control of the Iran-backed Houthis. It is providing the necessary aid to alleviate the hardship caused by the militia. The UAE is also engaged in massive efforts to rebuild the country’s infrastructure, especially hospitals and schools. Its efforts to bring life back to normalcy in liberated areas are commendable.

The UAE's humanitarian initiatives have had a great positive impact on the living conditions of the Yemenis," the Governor explained.

Hareb Al Awani, Member of the ERC Team on the Red Sea Coast of Yemen, said that the ERC, which began its relief efforts yesterday in Hodeidah, was also backing up the operations to liberate the city by way of launching development projects for the people’s welfare.

He added that the Emirati relief bridge would help the Yemeni people overcome the suffering unleashed on them by the Houthis.

The people of the liberated areas of Hodeidah expressed their happiness at the arrival of the urgent humanitarian aid and thanked the UAE’s wise leadership for their care and support. They added that the Yemeni people will never forget the support of the UAE, which came to their help in their hour of need. They said that it testified to the solid foundations on which the ties between the two countries have been built.

The ERC dispatched an emergency relief bridge consisting ten UAE vessels carrying 35,000 tonnes of foodstuffs, as well as an emergency aid airlift that includes seven flights carrying 14,000 food parcels to the Yemeni people. Also dispatched are 100 convoys carrying aid purchased from local markets.

UAE aid to Yemen between April 2015 and May 2018 reached US$3.77 billion, which went to sustainable projects in healthcare, education, security, public facilities, infrastructure and reconstruction, directly benefiting 13.8 million Yemenis, including 5.3 million children.

The UAE has also pledged US$500 million to support the UN Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen in 2018, in addition to US$ 70 million to renovate seaports and airports.

The UAE has set up humanitarian assistance office in Yemen to provide field support to the international aid organisations in expediting emergency response to the needs of the affected people.