Yemen spent only 7 percent of the pledges announced during the 2006 London Donor Conference, UK's Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said, pointing out that donors promised $ 5.7 billion in 2006, out of which 81 percent was allocated and 40 percent signed.
The situation in Yemen was a source of concern for the region and Britain over the last 18 months, he said at a Common House Meeting, affirming that the British aid to Yemen could pass £ 100 million by 2011.
Britain discussed in 2009 and worked along with its international partners to set out a new British strategy for supporting Yemen that has already been started by Britain's concerned portfolios, he said.
The strategy called for supporting the Yemeni political structures, building Yemen's capabilities to fight terror and tackle security issues, helping the Yemeni government in managing the public affairs and bringing solutions to Yemen's conflicts.
The remarks, posted on the Foreign Ministry's website, coincided with the current London Conference on Yemen focusing on ideas but not providing cash for Yemen.
The main theme of the High-ranking conference is to coordinate the best tools to support the Yemeni government's efforts aimed at tackling economic, political, security and social problems, said the British Foreign Ministry.
Economic collapse and growing instability could threaten regional security and interests unless they were addressed quickly, it added.
Anyway, Yemen's economic woes must be addressed first, the ministry said, urging short-term and long-term steps to be taken by Yemen and the international community to help the country suffering from other major problems including rapid population growth and high unemployment rates.