Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Yemen; and if she will make a statement.

The UK is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen. The UN estimates that over 21 million people (80% of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance; 6 million face severe food shortages; and 1 million have been displaced as a result of the current conflict (2015 Humanitarian Needs Overview for Yemen, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Yemen). It is very difficult for humanitarian agencies to operate due to ongoing insecurity, and a lack of incoming supplies and fuel. Unless current trends are reversed, there is a real risk of a collapse in the country’s health system and severe food and water crises.