ABU DHABI, Dec 04 (AFP): Proposed UN-led talks in Sweden present a "critical opportunity" to bring peace to war-torn Yemen, a top official from the United Arab Emirates which is part of the pro-government coalition, said on Tuesday.
"Evacuating wounded Huthi fighters from Sanaa once again demonstrates the Yemeni government & the Arab coalition's support for peace," said the UAE's state minister for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, in a tweet, after 50 wounded rebels were sent Monday to neutral Oman to be treated.
"We believe Sweden offers a critical opportunity to successfully engage in a political solution for Yemen."
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, already the world's worst, will deteriorate in 2019, the UN said Tuesday, warning that the number of people needing food aid is set to jump by four million.
The grim forecast for the embattled country came as the United Nations humanitarian office OCHA released its projected needs assessments for next year.
"The country with the biggest problem in 2019 is going to be Yemen," OCHA chief Mark Lowcock told reporters in Geneva.
He said that in 2017, the UN was providing food assistance to three million people a month.
That figure rose to eight million per month this year and is expected to hit 12 million in 2019, Lowcock added.
The crisis in Yemen spiralled after a Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive to support the government against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in March of 2015.
The situation has worsened in recent months due to a broad economic collapse and rising violence in the rebel-held port of Hodeida, a crucial import hub for food and other basic supplies.
Lowcock said the UN is asking for $4 billion (3.5 billion euros) to help suffering Yemenis next year.
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