DUBAI: Saudi Arabia on Monday announced $1.5 billion in new aid for Yemen, where nearly three years of conflict have devastated the local economy and pushed millions to the brink of famine, causing what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

The kingdom said on Monday the coalition it heads in Yemen would also “lead the expansion of additional Yemeni ports” to receive cargo and humanitarian assistance, ensure multiple daily flights of cargo planes carrying aid from Saudi Arabia to Yemen’s Marib province, and establish “safe passage corridors” to ensure transportation of aid to non-governmental organisations operating inside Yemen.

Additionally, the kingdom will make a donation of up to $2bn in fuel for the transportation of humanitarian aid.

The announcement comes amid mounting international criticism of the Saudi-led coalition’s role in the war, particularly civilian deaths caused by airstrikes as well as coalition control of Yemen’s ports, which are a lifeline for imports.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2018