Kate Osamor MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, responding to concerns voiced by the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, that the world is turning a “blind eye” to the conflict, said:
“The situation in Yemen is a humanitarian disaster, which has been far too neglected by the international community. The Tory Government has consistently refused to engage with the paradoxical nature of its engagement in the region: providing aid to assist a humanitarian situation which it is arguably complicit in exacerbating, through selling arms to Saudi Arabia despite the continuing risk that they are being used in breach of international humanitarian law.
“The latest estimations from the UN that 14 million people are at risk of hunger, and that the country is on the brink of famine are extremely concerning. 10,000 children have now died of preventable diseases and half a million children are severely malnourished. The UN’s appeal for humanitarian assistance is still only 58% funded.
“The UN coordinator yesterday voiced concerns that the international community was turning a “blind eye” to the conflict in Yemen. Labour shares these concerns and will continue to press for action, as we have been since December last year, calling for diplomatic pressure to bring about a ceasefire, and a halt to British arms sales to Saudi Arabia pending an independent investigation into their legality.”
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Editor’s Notes:
1. The BBC yesterday reported on the growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38220785