WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States announced today more than $89 million in additional humanitarian aid to help people affected by the ongoing conflict in Yemen. This brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for this crisis to nearly $170 million in fiscal year 2015.   

U.S. assistance will be delivered by our implementing partners through Yemen's sea and airports and through distribution networks inside the country. To that end, we look forward to all parties allowing unfettered access to Yemen's ports and airports, respecting the neutrality of humanitarian workers, and allowing them to travel safely in all parts of the country and cross battle-lines in order to meet the urgent needs of the Yemeni people. King Salman committed to enabling the reopening of Yemen's Red Sea ports to humanitarian and commercial traffic; this will be one critical element of restoring the vital imports that provide the bulk of the country's food, fuel, and other life-sustaining supplies.

Escalating violence in Yemen, which already faced years of instability and poverty, has left 80 percent of the country's entire population in need of urgent humanitarian aid. This new funding will provide emergency food assistance, safe drinking water, improved sanitation, emergency shelter, life-saving medical care, nutrition services, and protection for vulnerable populations.  

The food security situation in Yemen is at a critical crossroads. Nearly 13 million people are facing food shortages, and if current conditions persist, more people will struggle to meet their food needs over the coming months. USAID remains the largest donor of food assistance to Yemen. Today's announcement includes nearly $32 million in food assistance.  

The United States stands by the people of Yemen and remains committed to helping the millions of men, women, and children affected by this crisis.