UN Warns of   Worst Famine in Yemen in decades

Mark Lowcock, the aid official at the United Nations (UN), urged the Gulf states to take urgent action to prevent the worst  "human-made" famine in Yemen.

The UN official stressed the importance of speeding up the collection of $ 3.85 billion to fund humanitarian operations in Yemen immediately.

He added that if the United Nations does not get the funds it needs during the donor conference that will be held via the Internet next Monday, we will witness the worst famine in the world in decades."

He revealed that the United Nations prevented famine in Yemen in 2018 and 2019, thanks to an appeal for aid that received large funding and included generous donations from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait."

He added, "What is worrisome and different in the situation we are in now is that there is a significant decline in support for the process of providing aid to the extent that we cut off aid to people who are starving, not in a single way, but in a way that affects millions in different parts of the country."

"My message, to the Gulf states, is that a very important role awaits you here, and what you did in 2018 and 2019 saved many lives, frankly, and enabled the UN to avoid a complete collapse and a tragedy on an already historic scale. The situation is now on the line again," Lowcock told reporters.

Last Thursday, the United Nations announced that there is a need to provide 4 billion dollars in 2021 to avoid famine in Yemen.

Mark Lowcock, the International Organization for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called for raising about four billion dollars in 2021 to fund humanitarian operations.

For the sixth year, Yemen is witnessing a violent civil war that has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, as 80% of the population is in need of humanitarian aid, and the conflict has pushed millions to the brink of starvation.