Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I have sought advice from the Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to this issue. Senator Whish-Wilson is indeed correct when he refers to the United Nations' concerns that have been raised in relation to the situation in Yemen as a very significant humanitarian crisis. Australia has made contributions to support in Yemen since the beginning of this year. Minister Bishop announced the most recent contribution of $10 million on 16 September. That assistance has helped to deliver food, health care, water and sanitation to the many people who are in need of urgent assistance.

We are also contributing to the humanitarian response in Yemen through our funding of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund. We've provided $33 million to UN CERF, as it is known, over the past three years, which has helped UN CERF provide $20 million in 2016 and $60 million in 2015 to Yemen. We have urged all those engaged in the conflict—