UN asks the international community to help boost and stabilize Yemen's economy‏‏

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths on Monday called on the international community to help revive and stabilize Yemen's economy.

"I call on the international community to redouble efforts to boost Yemen's economy and restore basic services،" the UN relief chief said، adding that would also help reduce long-term humanitarian needs and the size and cost of relief efforts. The aid chief spoke of a UN Security Council briefing on the Yemen.

In recent months، there have been signs of heightened economic tension between the two sides، with potentially devastating consequences for the Yemeni people and relief efforts، Griffith said.

"We know from experience that even a small deterioration in Yemen's economy can have a major impact on millions of people،" he added.

Griffiths noted that despite appreciation in government-held areas over the past year، the Yemeni riyal is currently trading at 1،250 riyals to the dollar، the lowest level since the ceasefire was announced in early April.

"I call on all parties to do everything possible to avoid actions that could further destabilize the economy or negatively impact humanitarian needs or response،" Griffiths said.

On the humanitarian situation in Yemen، Griffith said he fears 2023 will be another extremely difficult year for Yemenis، adding that the country's economy continues to weaken and essential services hang by a thread.

According to Griffiths، by 2023، an estimated 21.6 million people in Yemen will need humanitarian assistance and protection services.

"I call on the international community to continue supporting the people of Yemen this year، generously backing humanitarian appeals and helping to fill the funding gap for life-saving programmes،" Griffiths said

The conflict in Yemen has brought the country to the brink of famine and created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

The war began in 2014 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels swept from the mountains and captured northern Yemen and the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis pushed the internationally recognized government to the south and eventually went into exile.

As Iran-backed militias pushed further south، the Arab coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015، saying its involvement was to prevent Iran from influencing the country.