SANA'A: As Yemen's Planning and International Minister Mohammad Al-Saadi announced that Yemen's “donor conference” would be held this coming April as the country seeks to raise $14 billion for its economic recovery, the government of Japan freed a reported $22.6 million to meet Yemen's most urgent needs. After a year of a violent and often bloody popular uprising, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula is mending its wounds and looking towards the future as its government sets out to rebuild its infrastructures. Through the injection of cash, Japan will help alleviate Yemen's dire humanitarian crisis, feeding tens of thousands of families who through displacement or unemployment faced hunger and abject poverty. Over the course of a few months, tens of thousands of people fell below the poverty line, making do with less than $1 a day. A ceremony was held on Saturday in the presence of Mohammed Al-Saadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and the Representatives of the UN agencies to acknowledge the receipt of the funds, placing Japan once again at the top list of Yemen's benefactors. The Japanese embassy revealed that the money would be used as follow: UNDP: Youth Employment Program (US$ 2 million) UNHCR: Assistance for African Refugees and IDPs (US$ 4.5million : shelter, food, health, essential items for living etc) UNICEF: Assistance for children and IDPs (US$ 6.6million: water, vaccines, nutrition, education, landmine protection program, etc) WFP: Food Assistance for IDPs and the vulnerable (US$ 7.5 million) WHO: Health Assistance for IDPs and the vulnerable (US$ 2 million) BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/BLGdG Tags: Economy, Funding, Japan, Recovery Section: Business, East Asia, Latest News, Yemen
