U.N. raises $1.3 billion for Yemen, less than a third requested, in effort shadowed by Ukraine war
PBS NewsHourNov 18, 2021
The Facts
On Sun., the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said it has been forced to ration food supplies as a result of not receiving enough funding due to global economic conditions and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The WFP feeds 13M Yemenis, but the rationing means they will only be able to feed 5M with 50% of their daily food requirements, and the remaining 8M will only receive 25%.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
While the West sanctions and cuts off trade with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it has no issues continuing relations with Saudi Arabia – no doubt for oil. It reeks of hypocrisy.
Pro-establishment narrative
The conflict can only be resolved when the Houthis are forced back to the negotiating table. The US, its Gulf allies, and UN are working together closely to try to bring the fighting to a halt. The Iran-backed rebels are the aggressor in this catastrophe.
Cynical narrative
The war in Yemen, now in its eighth year, is every bit as brutal as what's taking place in Ukraine. The West's failure to address this humanitarian disaster or cover it in the media with any sort of urgency says a lot about its inherent bias and who it considers worthy and unworthy victims.