SANAA, Yemen

The US signed on Sunday a five-year aid pact with Yemen's government to expedite economic development in a nation grappling with one of the most severe humanitarian crises worldwide.

The assistance agreement was signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Waed Abdullah Batheeb and Kimberlee Bell, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Country Director for Yemen.

“The agreement reflects the unwavering commitment of the United States to Yemen’s prosperity, stability, and people,” the US Embassy in Yemen said in a statement.

“The agreement outlines how USAID’s development assistance will accelerate Yemen’s economic growth, improve access to essential water, health, and education services, and strengthen governance and reconciliation,” it added.

According to the statement, USAID has provided more than $5.8 billion in humanitarian and development assistance to Yemen since 2015.

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa. The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains.

Since then, tens of thousands of Yemenis are believed to have been killed in the conflict, while 14 million are at risk of starvation, according to the UN.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi