Marib Official Addresses German Aid Groups at Yemen Conference in Berlin

Engineer Saleh Al-Saqqaf, the Director General of the Planning and International Cooperation Office for Marib Governorate, participated in the Sixth Conference of German Organizations Operating in Yemen. The event, held in Berlin, Germany, convened over 35 German entities active in Yemen's humanitarian and development sectors, alongside official representation from both the Yemeni and German governments.

During the conference's opening session, Engineer Al-Saqqaf delivered a virtual address to attendees, including Yemen's Ambassador to Germany, Louay Al-Eryani, and the State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Lucas Berenbeck.

In his remarks, Al-Saqqaf lauded the significant humanitarian and developmental contributions of German organizations working in Yemen, emphasizing their role in alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people amidst the ongoing crisis. Al-Saqqaf also conveyed his gratitude for the German government's substantial support to Yemen in vital sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. He further acknowledged Germany's crucial role in addressing the escalating humanitarian needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities across Yemen.

Turning to the dire situation on the ground, the Director General detailed the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with a particular focus on Marib Governorate. He highlighted that Marib is currently hosting over 2.1 million IDPs and 37,500 undocumented migrants, placing immense strain on the region's resources and public services. Al-Saqqaf further explained that over two million residents in Marib require assistance, including 1.5 million facing food insecurity and 180,000 children under five in urgent need of healthcare. He also drew attention to the thousands of children with special needs, orphans, and those who have dropped out of school.

He noted that the recent suspension of several programs by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Marib and Yemen has created significant gaps in the humanitarian response. This development, he argued, underscores the urgent need to bolster development interventions as a sustainable solution to the protracted crisis. Addressing the assembled organizations, Engineer Al-Saqqaf outlined the key development priorities for Marib Governorate. These include crucial projects in water and sanitation, the rehabilitation of essential health and education facilities, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, vocational training initiatives, and the provision of sustainable shelter solutions.

In closing, Al-Saqqaf extended an invitation to German partners to visit Marib Governorate firsthand to gain a deeper understanding of its pressing needs. He assured them of the local authority's full cooperation and commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure the success of their projects and the achievement of their humanitarian and development goals in the region.