“Yemen crisis”, “War in Yemen”, “What is the problem in Yemen?” These are some of the search results when you search “Yemen” on Google. What was once the crossroads of many civilisations thousands of years ago has now turned into a country with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. But what has happened? How did it get to this? What is the world doing about it? What can you do about it?
Humanitarian Crisis
Yemen, home to over 30 million people, faces a profound humanitarian crisis. Approximately two-thirds of its population, roughly 21 million people, require humanitarian assistance. Among them, 4.5 million have been displaced from their homes, with tens of thousands enduring famine-like conditions.
Natural calamities such as droughts and floods have contributed significantly to the displacement crisis in Yemen. Moreover, disruptions in food supply chains, triggered by global wheat and grain price hikes due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, have made the situation even worse.
Women and children bear the brunt of this humanitarian catastrophe. Malnutrition rates among Yemeni women and children are alarmingly high, with women and children constituting over 3/4 of the displaced population while more than 2 million Yemeni children lack access to education.
This is just a glimpse into the dire reality of life in Yemen. But how did the situation deteriorate to this extent?
Yemeni Civil War
Yemen has been engulfed in a devastating civil war since 2014. It began when Houthi rebels clashed with the Yemeni National Army and seized control of the capital, prompting the government’s resignation. In response, a coalition of Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia allied with the Yemeni government and initiated a campaign of economic blockade and airstrikes against the Houthis. This conflict has persisted to the present day.
The ongoing confrontation between the coalition and Houthi rebels has inflicted a heavy toll on Yemeni civilians. The civil war has worsened the humanitarian crisis, leading to widespread food insecurity and a lack of access to essential healthcare services. Adding on to that, in the autumn of 2021, Yemen’s currency experienced a sharp depreciation, significantly diminishing the purchasing power of its people and worsening the challenges of obtaining basic necessities.
International Response
“The Worst International Response to a Humanitarian Crisis,” says Maysaa Shuja al-Deen, a fellow at Sana’a Center for Strategic study.
Despite appeals for aid funding, the available resources have fallen short of meeting the needs of millions of Yemenis in dire circumstances. In 2018, the United Nations issued a plea for $3 billion USD to support humanitarian efforts, but questions remain about the effective distribution of these funds.
Much of the allocated funding has been channelled to UN agencies, international organizations, and NGOs such as the World Food Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, and the UN refugee agency. Since 2015, these entities have been working tirelessly on the ground, delivering vital assistance and protection to the Yemeni population.
For instance, the World Food Programme (WFP) distributes over 100,000 metric tons of food each month through more than 5,000 distribution points, benefiting over 8 million Yemenis. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have administered cholera vaccines to over 300,000 individuals. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has also provided essential sexual and reproductive health services to 250,000 girls and women.
For instance, the World Food Programme (WFP) distributes over 100,000 metric tons of food each month through more than 5,000 distribution points, benefiting over 8 million Yemenis.
Despite these efforts, the ongoing conflict poses significant challenges and risks for humanitarian workers attempting to reach vulnerable populations. The continuation of hostilities makes it increasingly difficult to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.
What We’re Doing
As a charity committed to making a positive impact in the world, we are dedicated to providing essential aid and support to those in need. Currently, we are focusing our efforts on addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis in Yemen. We have teams on the ground in Yemen who offer food packs and meals to as many of those in dire need. In addition, we have malnutrition clinics aiming to provide lifesaving care to those malnourished children affected, saving them from potential starvation and death.
To contribute to our Yemen Humanitarian Crisis Appeal and help us make a difference in the lives of those facing immense hardship, please visit our special fundraising page.
