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Minister of Social Affairs Meets with Her Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Our Country
May 13, 2025
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Zaouri, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, met today in the capital, Aden, with Her Excellency Abda Sharif, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to our country.
During the meeting, a number of issues related to the humanitarian situation facing the country—particularly in areas under the control of the legitimate government—were discussed. These challenges reflect the deteriorating economic conditions and the scarcity of resources, which have left the government unable to fulfill its essential duties, provide services, and ensure the regular payment of employee salaries. The Minister explained that the dramatic depreciation of the local currency against the dollar has made it impossible for people to cope with rising prices and meet even the most basic necessities of life, in addition to the collapse of services and worsening living conditions for most of the population.
The two sides also discussed ways of joint cooperation to provide urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid in coordination with partners and donors, and to address the severe funding shortfall following the announcement of the suspension of U.S. grants, which make up nearly 50% of the support provided to Yemen.
Minister Al-Zaouri affirmed that the Ministry will offer all necessary facilitation to ensure the flow of aid and the implementation of projects targeting the social protection and welfare sector, in coordination with all relevant entities—especially the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, as it is the responsible authority for signing agreements with UN and international organizations and supervising the implementation of projects funded by them. He explained that, in line with the directives of Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council and President of the Southern Transitional Council, Major General Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has worked with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to establish appropriate mechanisms for the implementation of humanitarian projects and the absorption of donor funding.
His Excellency the Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the British government for its supportive stance toward the Yemeni government and its active role in mobilizing international support to confront the economic and humanitarian challenges facing the country.
For her part, Her Excellency Ambassador Abda Sharif expressed her appreciation for the official efforts being made by the government to address the complex economic conditions resulting from the halt in oil exports and the decline in foreign aid—especially after the decision to suspend U.S. assistance, which constitutes 50% of the aid provided to Yemen.
She noted that her government is working to persuade international partners to increase humanitarian aid to Yemen, support the government in meeting essential needs and delivering services, and strengthen the resilience of the population. She stressed the importance of establishing flexible channels with all official bodies to maintain communication and coordination with both international and local partners, and to facilitate procedures to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of
