WASHINGTON – CARE, the global humanitarian and development organization delivering assistance across Yemen, condemns yesterday’s White House veto of the bipartisan resolution from Congress demanding an end to U.S. involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
David Ray, CARE USA’s Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, said:
“The President’s veto turns a blind eye to the will of the American people. Congress passed bipartisan legislation calling for the U.S. to end its support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, a reflection of the concerns Americans have shared about U.S. involvement in this conflict.
The Yemeni people have faced the worst cholera outbreak in history, a declaration of famine, and a crippled economy. In four years of conflict, there have been almost 20,000 airstrikes, more than 70,000 deaths, 4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and now 80% of the population requires aid. President Trump’s veto last night is a tacit endorsement that the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen will continue.
American tax dollars support this war. The very least we can do for the people of Yemen is to respect the will of the American people by withdrawing our support for this conflict.
An immediate ceasefire is needed across Yemen, and parties to the conflict must engage in the UN-led peace process.”
This year has seen intensified fighting in northern Yemen. Thousands of families in Hajjah governorate are currently fleeing their homes to escape the violence, and there is a risk that up to 400,000 people could be displaced, many for the second or third time. Their needs are acute – on top of severe food insecurity, they are facing the very serious threat of cholera due to early rains.
CARE reaches around one million people per month in Yemen, working across 12 governorates. In addition to humanitarian assistance and protection, CARE implements women’s and youth economic empowerment projects in an effort to help people generate income and give them dignity and hope for the future.