Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of humanitarian assistance entering Yemen through Hodeidah port since the announcement on 20 December 2017 by the Saudi-led Coalition that the port would remain open.

Close to 80% of both commercial and humanitarian imports have habitually entered Yemen through Hodeidah and Saleef ports. During her visit to Riyadh, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of full and unhindered commercial and humanitarian access to these ports.

Currently we judge that imports to Hodeidah and Saleef are insufficient, with just 70% of monthly food and 76% of monthly fuel levels entering through these ports compared to the period before November 2017. We recognise the Saudi-led coalition is working to increase access through other ports including Aden in the South of Yemen. This is one reason why the recent increase in hostilities in Aden is a concern. The UK is working with the UN to increase the number of inspections of commercial vessels to encourage greater access into Hodeidah and Saleef. We continue to call on all parties to allow full and unfettered commercial and humanitarian access throughout Yemen to avert the risk of mass starvation.