Yemen

These alarming statistics highlight the need for a humanitarian mission in Yemen to provide assistance to people who are directly and indirectly affected by the conflict.

Yemen – the humanitarian situation steadily worsens

Since 2014, Yemen has been under fire due to clashes between Houthi rebels and government forces. These years of war have also seen severe damage to infrastructure and the destruction of large numbers of roads, homes, schools and hospitals.

The blockade prevents aid from being delivered to Yemen

This civil war took on an international dimension when a coalition of Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, became involved in the conflict, mainly through a large-scale and often indiscriminate campaign of airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of large numbers of civilians.

To make things worse, the sometimes-complete blockade imposed by the coalition hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen. It has triggered a severe economic crisis, critically weakened state institutions, which no longer have financial resources, and led to a serious deterioration in food and nutritional security.

The healthcare system has also been severely affected, with half of healthcare facilities not currently functioning. The Covid-19 pandemic has made the healthcare system and the population even more vulnerable. The Yemeni people have lost heart – fear and anxiety are preventing them from accessing healthcare facilities except in emergencies. Yemen has paid a high price in the pandemic. Appalling living and hygiene conditions have increased the risk of catching Covid-19. Since the start of the pandemic, 5,357 cases and 1,049 deaths have been recorded. The healthcare situation, aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, only serves to highlight the need for medical assistance in Yemen.

Humanitarian assistance weakened by the war in Yemen

Despite many attempts by the United Nations to negotiate a ceasefire which would lead to a global resolution of the conflict, the warring parties continue to hamper diplomatic progress. Although negotiations between the parties have been intensified recently, raising hopes that a peace agreement might be signed in the years to come, political instability persists. During 2020, fighting in Marib, Taiz and Hodeidah have sapped confidence in the peace talks in Yemen.

Almost 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance

Away from the talks, the conflict continues to threaten the lives of millions of people. Today the UN considers the humanitarian crisis in Yemen to be the worst in the world, with almost 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.