John Kerry pledges $189 million in new US aid for Yemen humanitarian crisis

US Secretary of State John Kerry has pledged £143 million in new US aid for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Kerry said the international response to Yemen's civil war had fallen short of the region's needs, and pledged a renewed political and security approach to resume talks.

Armed men loyal to the Houthi movement wave their weapons as the protest against protest against the Saudi-backed exiled government. Credit: Reuters

The secretary of state said the new "fair and sensible" plan calls for a unity government and a transfer of heavy weapons from the Houthi rebel group to a third party.

The Houthis seized control of Yemen last January, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention.

A pro-government fighter holds a machine gun in Yemen's southwestern of Taiz province. Credit: Reuters

More than 6,000 Yemenis have been killed in the conflict - more than half of whom were civilians.

Kerry said the UN envoy to Yemen will immediately begin a series of consultations with Yemeni parties.