Labour minister Stephen Doughty has reaffirmed Britain's support for the internationally recognised Government of Yemen and announced £10 million in new humanitarian funding as the country faces a worsening crisis following renewed Houthi violence.
Doughty met Yemen's Vice-President Abdullah al-Alimi Bawazeer during the UN General Assembly in New York, where they discussed security, humanitarian needs and the wider regional situation.
He said:
"The UK supports the Govt of Yemen & stands in solidarity with Yemeni people against Houthi aggression."
Doughty added that the Government had announced new funding for the UN's emergency appeal for Yemen.
£10m for food, healthcare and vaccines
The Foreign Office confirmed that the UK will provide £10 million through the UN emergency appeal for Yemen, aimed at helping tens of thousands of civilians displaced by the latest escalation.
The package will support child nutrition and food supplies, emergency healthcare for women and children, and vaccines against life-threatening diseases.
The Government said the funding was being announced in response to a deteriorating humanitarian situation in areas controlled by Yemen's internationally recognised government.
UK condemns renewed Houthi attacks
The announcement follows renewed fighting in Yemen and Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
The Foreign Office said earlier this month that the UK "strongly condemns" the Houthis' decision to resume conflict and their attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. It said the escalation was worsening humanitarian suffering and threatening security across the Red Sea and wider region.
Britain has also provided additional defensive military support to Saudi Arabia, including an RAF Voyager aircraft to support air-to-air refuelling for defensive activity. The Government says the deployment is intended to help protect Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen against missile and drone attacks.
Doughty stresses support for Yemeni government
Doughty's meeting with Vice-President al-Alimi reflects Britain's continuing diplomatic support for Yemen's internationally recognised government.
The UK has argued that regional stability, humanitarian access and freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb are all directly affected by the conflict.
Ministers have also stressed that any military response must remain consistent with international law while diplomatic efforts continue towards a political settlement.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Years of conflict have left millions of Yemenis dependent on humanitarian assistance, and the latest escalation has displaced further communities.
The new £10 million package is intended to meet urgent needs rather than provide a long-term solution to the crisis.
Doughty's message is that Britain will continue backing the Government of Yemen while also increasing humanitarian support for civilians caught up in the renewed conflict.
