
History
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has operated in Yemen since 1959. In 2003, following a seven-year absence, USAID reopened its mission in Yemen with assistance principally focused on basic education, maternal and child health, and agriculture. In 2009, amidst growing instability and a greater sense of urgency, USAID developed a new stabilization strategy that targets underserved communities with support for basic education, health, livelihoods, and food security. USAID also supports more responsive governance by working with various levels of the Yemeni government to improve policies, enhance the capacity of government officials, promote decentralization, and empower communities.
Crisis Background
Between 2004 and early 2015, conflict between the Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG) and Al Houthi opposition forces in the north and between Al Qaeda-affiliated groups and RoYG forces in the south, forced people in northern Yemen to repeatedly flee their homes, resulting in the need for humanitarian aid. At the same time, fighting between RoYG forces and tribal and militant groups since 2011 limited the capacity of the RoYG to provide basic services, and humanitarian needs increased among impoverished populations. In late March 2015, a coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began airstrikes on Al Houthi and allied forces to halt their southward expansion. The ongoing conflict has damaged public infrastructure, interrupted essential services, displaced populations, and reduced the level of commercial imports to a fraction of the levels required to sustain the Yemeni population. The country relies on imports for 90 percent of its grain and other food sources. The escalated conflict, coupled with protracted political instability, the resulting economic crisis, rising fuel and food prices, and high unemployment, has left nearly 19 million people in need of humanitarian aid, and has put more than 17 million people at risk of starvation.
Deputy Secretary Sullivan and USAID Administrator Green’s Meeting with Humanitarian Organizations on
U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesperson Readout June 22, 2018 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: Deputy Secretary of State John…
Statement by Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey on the Operation of Mobile Cranes in Yemen Port
The United States welcomes reports that four U.S.-funded World Food Programme mobile cranes have now begun offloading supplies at Yemen’s Hudaydah port. The additional capacity…
STATEMENT FROM USAID ADMINISTRATOR MARK GREEN ON THE ARRIVAL OF MOBILE CRANES TO YEMEN
The United States welcomes the arrival of four mobile cranes at Yemen’s Hudaydah port. Upon installation, these cranes, purchased by the World Food Programme with…
Statement by Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey on Yemen
The United States welcomes the announcement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that all humanitarian and commercial goods, including fuel, will be allowed to pass…
Fact Sheet: Additional U.S. Assistance for Yemen
Today, the United States is announcing nearly $130 million in emergency food assistance to Yemen. This brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance to the people of…
Statement from USAID Administrator Mark Green on Yemen
The United States remains extremely concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. Over the last week, fighting in Sana’a has intensified-killing and injuring hundreds…