Do not forget Yemen

Getting aid to Yemenis is extremely difficult, because of obstructions by various parties in the war, concerns about safety, and funding concerns. The UN and NGOs have been warning (not for the first time) that they have to shut down some operations because donors have not given the $3.85 billion they need for 2021. In less than two weeks, they will ask the international community to open their wallets for Yemen yet again.

four million people who are displaced across the country, many of whom have been subjected to a recent uptick in bombing, shelling, and ground fighting.

Yemen has been on the brink of famine for years. The economy has collapsed, putting adequate food out of the financial reach of millions of people.

 It has been estimated that about half of the country’s health facilities are out of operation. This matters not only for day-to-day concerns, but also for deadly waves of COVID-19, when children need treatment for malnutrition, or when civilians step on landmines. 

Yemen’s war is crossing the seven-year mark this month, and despite the fact that the UN has long dubbed it one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, it has rarely made the headlines for any sustained period of time.

 

_{Source and Credit: UN news, UNHCR}