Ireland is set to pledge a further €5m in response to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

The increase brings the Irish Aid response to the "world's worst humanitarian crisis" to €22m since 2012.

Announcing the funding, the Minister of State for international Development Ciarán Cannon said 24 million people in the war-torn country are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.

"Faced with the shocking scale of suffering and the real risk of further deterioration, it is vital that we come together as an international community - not only to meet immediate humanitarian needs, but also to address the underlying causes of this tragic conflict," he said.

Children are seen among garbage at Darawan displacement camp in Amran province, near Sanaa, Yemen, 21-01-2019. Image: Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed

Civil war

A brutal civil-war has raging in the region for nearly four years – intensifying a crisis that began with a revolution in the country in 2011.

Fighting between Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the ousted Yemeni Government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition of nine countries from the Middle East and Africa, has been ongoing since 2015

The war has led to what the UN has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

A sea, land and air blockade imposed on the country by Saudi-led coalition, has contributed to a situation whereby nearly 8.5 million people  are now “severely food insecure” or at risk of starvation.

Civilian deaths

Meanwhile, a UN investigation recently found that all sides to the conflict have shown a reckless disregard for civilian life that could amount to war crimes.

There were at least 16,700 civilian casualties between March 2015 and June 2018, although the actual figure is believed to be 'significantly higher.'

The UN report found that most civilian casualties were the result of coalition airstrikes - although there were some reports a shelling into civilian areas by Houthi forces.

Yemeni conflict-affected students queue to receive aided breakfast at a school in Sanaa, Yemen. 13-02-2019. image: Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed

UK arms sales

The US has been supporting the Saudi coalition with arms sales, intelligence and military support throughout the war - while the UK continues to sell huge amounts of advanced military equipment to Saudi Arabia.

A recent House of Lords report warned that the Government is in breach of international law over its arms sales as the war continues.

The House of Lords committee said the UK has sold £4.7bn (€5.37bn) worth of arms to Saudi Arabia and £860m (€982m) to other members of the coalition since the conflict began.

Yemen peace process

Deputy Cannon said a negotiated political settlement is the only way to bring the brutal civil war to an end and provide "lasting relief" to the millions of people who are suffering.

He said Ireland is "committed to playing its part in the response to the crisis" and called on all sides to the conflict to "fully engage" with the UN-led process aimed at bringing the civil war to an end.

“I would like to pay particular tribute to the humanitarian aid workers operating within Yemen, working in difficult and often dangerous conditions to get vital assistance to those in greatest need," he said.

"All parties must ensure full access for all humanitarian assistance to all parts of the country, ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers, and uphold international humanitarian law.”