US Scales Up Humanitarian Aid for Yemen

The U.S. is increasing its humanitarian aid for Yemen this year by 44 percent to USD42.5 million, up from USD29.6 million. The pledge follows “reports of fresh outbreaks of fighting” in Sa’ada, said U.S. President Barack Obama, who wants an end to the violence and full compliance to the ceasefire agreement. The assistance will be used to provide food, water and sanitation, shelter, and health care to people displaced by violence, as well as refugees in southern Yemen. The U.S. urged other governments to to contribute to the United Nations’ Humanitarian Response Plan, CNN reports.