Comic Relief has announced that it will give £250,000 to support organisations working to help starving people in war-torn Yemen, including children at severe risk of malnutrition.
The money has been pledged by Comic Relief in response to the Yemen Crisis Appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis, with the aim of raising money collectively to reach those in need quickly.
Yemen, which is already one of the world’s poorest countries, has been brought to breaking point after nearly two years of war. The economy has almost collapsed, hospitals, schools and farms have been destroyed and almost half a million children need immediate treatment for malnutrition.
DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed, said: "Two years of civil war in Yemen have left innocent families and children in need of our help, now more than ever. Seven million people do not know where their next meal will come from and almost half a million severely malnourished children need immediate medical attention.
“In the midst of conflict, DEC member charities are providing millions of people with lifesaving aid, such as food and treatment for malnutrition, but much more needs to be done to reach those in dire need. We’re appealing to the UK public to dig deep and help us to provide food, water and medical care to help save lives now.”
Jennie Richmond, Head of International Grants at Comic Relief said: "We are deeply concerned about the crisis in Yemen, which is why we have decided to respond to the appeal from the DEC. The funds raised will help agencies working in Yemen to provide vital support and lifesaving aid to people in desperate need across the country.
“Our contribution will help provide aid to those in urgent need and we are also encouraging the general public to support this appeal, so that the agencies on the ground can reach as many people as possible.”
Comic Relief’s grant will help the ongoing work of DEC agencies to provide humanitarian support and assistance to many more people in Yemen.
To make a donation visit www.dec.org.uk, call 0370 60 60 900, visit any high street bank or Post Office, or donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000. The UK Government is also supporting the DEC appeal and will match donations from members of the UK public up to a total value of £5 million in match funding.
Comic Relief was founded in 1985 by Richard Curtis.
