The United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres is today (Tuesday, April 25) hosting a pledging conference in Geneva to raise funds for Yemen.

Sherine El Taraboulsi-McCarthy, Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, said: ‘The donor conference presents an opportunity for governments to step up and assist the 18 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. With the Yemen humanitarian appeal only funded at 15.7%, the country needs to secure strong financial pledges to prevent further deaths.

‘Too often, we see high profile humanitarian appeal conferences fall short. It is imperative that governments see their pledges as binding and exercise peer pressure to hold each other accountable. Rather than costly military intervention, there should be a focus on providing much-needed humanitarian assistance and finding lasting peace. 

‘The conference should also lead the way in securing a political solution that will resolve the crisis.’

To arrange an interview with Sherine El-Taraboulsi-McCarthy please contact James Rush on [email protected] or Brenda Yu on [email protected]. Alternatively, please call +44 (0)7808 791265

ENDS