Yemen is a “prime candidate” to receive more aid from the U.K., according to British Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan, in order to prevent the Middle Eastern country from becoming a failed state.
The U.K. government will support the development of Yemen’s society instead of resorting to military measures, Duncan told a conference at the London-based think tank Chattam House, the Telegraph reports.
Yemen has a reputation for being a hideaway for Islamist terrorists and the origin of attacks on Western targets. It is also the poorest country in the Middle East.
On Friday (Oct. 29), it was found that two bombs in parcels headed for synagogues in the U.S. had originated from Yemen.
Duncan noted that time is running out for the country, which faces poor governance, dwindling resources and a growing al-Qaida presence.
Duncan explained that early intervention, including increasing the 50 million pounds (USD80.1 million) that the U.K. provides to Yemen annually, is cheaper than waiting for the country to collapse and cleaning up the resulting mess.
>> UK Gives Aid to Yemen
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron recently announced that Britain is doubling its aid to fragile states as part of the country’s national security strategy.
