Deputy Minister Del Re participated, by conference call, in the meeting of the international donors for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, organised by the United Nations and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, the Saudi Foreign Minister and the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid Mark Lowcock.
In her speech, the Deputy Minister stressed how, after 6 years of the crisis, over 24 million people, 80% of the population, are in need of assistance or protection. The Coronavirus pandemic constitutes a further threat. “It is now essential for the international community to renew its support to the Yemeni people” – Ms. Del Re said. “The Italian government and people have always demonstrated great attention and concrete solidarity towards Yemen” – she continued – “We will continue to stand next to the Yemeni people. Italy renews its concrete humanitarian support to the Yemeni people.”
“Unfortunately, and despite the unilateral ceasefire proclaimed by Saudi Arabia, in the wake of the appeal by the Secretary General for a global truce, the conflict is still ongoing” – the Deputy Minister concluded – “Italy reaffirms its appeal to the parties to protect civilians, respect International Humanitarian Law and remove any obstacles to humanitarian access. At the same time, we also stand by our support of the mediation efforts by the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. The only possible solution is a negotiating process to remove war from the Country, with the home that we can soon transform humanitarian aid into development aid”.
