Yemen is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. A devastating armed conflict between a Saudi-led coalition and Yemen government against a rebel movement known as the Houthis. After escalation in March 2015, UNICEF has reported “more than 24 million people- 80 percent of Yemen’s population- in need of humanitarian assistance”.
Furthermore, according to UNICEF analysis “nearly 2.3 million children under the age of five in Yemen are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021”. These statistics are heart-breaking and only touch the surface as to how many more people are in desperate need of help. However, I feel it is important to point out that alongside these shocking statistics, we must also remember the people behind these numbers who are currently suffering.
The impact of this conflict is vast. Millions are being forced to flee their homes, healthcare facilities are exhausted and the economy is broken. Human Rights Watch have “documented at least 90 apparently unlawful Saudi-led coalition airstrikes”, with some deliberate attacks on civilians such as Yemeni fishing boats that have led to dozens of deaths.
This shattered country has faced one disaster after the next and in 2017 according to the World Health Organisation, the largest recorded outbreak of cholera saw over 1.2 million cases of suspected or confirmed cholera in Yemen. They have reported that more than 2,500 people have died from the disease, with 30 percent of those cases involving children under five. This outbreak was driven by years of conflict, imminent famine and collapsed health services. Now under threat from the coronavirus, Yemen is even more vulnerable and in need of our help.
Figure 1 October 2020- A malnourished girl at a hospital in Sanaa (Source: Sky News, 2021)
Sir Mark Lowcock, the United Nations under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, spoke to Sky news (2020):
"The world needs to wake up and decide whether it's willing to let millions of children simply lose their lives or whether it is to step up, and, as is still possible, prevent a huge tragedy."
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland has supported charity Aquabox, who have been supplying aid to Yemen. To find out more visit: https://www.rotarygbi.org/rotary-charity-provides-aid-to-the-dying-in-yemen/
How to get involved:
Donate: donations not only help saves lives, but they help organisations continue their vital work. At the end of this blog you will find some useful links to organisations where, if possible, you can donate.
Fundraising is another really good way to get involved, even during these challenging times there are ways you can fundraise virtually. For some ideas visit: https://www.unicef.org.uk/fundraise/
Another simple way to get involved is to spread the word, whether that be through sharing links or resources or even telling your friends, use your voice to make a positive impact no matter how small or big.
As mentioned above, here are some links to charities where you can donate and help prevent further tragedy:
- Unicef UK: https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/yemen/
- Oxfam Yemen crisis appeal: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/current-emergencies/yemen/?pscid=ps_ggl_Google+-+Emergencies+-+Yemen+-+Generic_generic&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTIIp6zjjJgSuh9k0xj57yjaWfT5qwhn7eAwyY8BmDnTonpzRSn7eaQaAq91EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Sources used: