Students are seen inside a makeshift classroom in Hajjah province, northwestern Yemen, on Oct. 23, 2022. (Photo by Mohammed Al-Wafi/Xinhua)
"I call on the international community to redouble its efforts to boost Yemen's economy and restore basic services," which will also serve to reduce humanitarian needs as well as the size and price tag of the aid operation in the long run, the UN relief chief said.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Martin Griffiths, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, on Monday called on the international community to help boost and stabilize Yemen's economy.
"I call on the international community to redouble its efforts to boost Yemen's economy and restore basic services," which will also serve to reduce humanitarian needs as well as the size and price tag of the aid operation in the long run, the UN relief chief told a UN Security Council briefing on the war-torn country of Yemen.
Over recent months, Griffiths said, there have been signs of increasing economic tension emerging between the parties, with potentially harmful consequences for the people of Yemen and the aid operation.
"We know from experience that even a small deterioration in Yemen's economy can have major ripple effects for millions of people," he added.
Griffiths noted that despite some appreciation last year, the Yemeni rial is now trading at 1,250 to the U.S. dollar in government-held areas, the lowest point since the truce was announced in early April.
"I urge the parties to do everything possible to avoid any actions that could further destabilize the economy or otherwise negatively impact humanitarian needs or the response," he said.
On Yemen's humanitarian situation, Griffiths said he fears that 2023 will be another extremely difficult year for Yemenis, adding that the country's economy continues to weaken and basic services hang by an ever-thinning thread.
In 2023, an estimated 21.6 million people across Yemen will need humanitarian assistance and protection services, according to Griffiths.
"I urge the international community to continue to stand with the Yemeni people this year by giving generously to the humanitarian appeal and helping to narrow funding gaps for life-saving programs," said Griffiths. ■
