2020 has been a very upsetting year for numerous reasons, more so for individuals who are underprivileged. Sometimes, we need to take the time to reflect on our daily lives and realize that we do not have it as bad as we think. The COVID-19 crisis has overshadowed one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world, which is occurring in Yemen.
Yemen has been in a state of serious civil war since 2015, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched military operations by using air strikes to restore the former Yemeni government. This civil war has taken the lives of over 100,000 since inception, according to ACLED. More than 12,000 of these individuals are civilians. The war is also the cause of a massive famine across Yemen, claiming the lives of 85,000 individuals. The recent Development Programme Report by the United Nations states that
"If the conflict continues through 2022, Yemen will rank the poorest country in the world. 79 percent of the population living under the poverty line and 65 percent classified extremely poor.”Presently, it is estimated that
more than 24 million people, which is 80 percent of the population, needs humanitarian assistance. 12 million of these individuals are children who are powerless in these situations. Due to the conflict, the country’s economy has been decimated. People have lost their homes, their farmland, and access to infrastructure. The impoverished have lost their incomes, therefore unable to provide for their families. A
n estimated 20 million Yemenis, which is 70% of the population, is suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition. 2 million of these individuals are children. Nearly half of these individuals will experience famine if action is not taken immediately. To make matters worse, food prices have skyrocketed while individuals do not have a source of income to feed themselves.
We are so lucky and privileged to be living in a country where we have access to running water, shelter, food, and access to the internet to read information such as this. We have the ability to do whatever we put our minds to, which unfortunately, is not the case for people in Yemen. Here, we have access to government aid when we have fallen on hard times. We have the ability to ask for assistance, visit a food bank, and apply for subsidized housing. During the COVID-19 situation, our governments have even given us financial assistance to mitigate the loss of income from loss of employment due to the virus.
The civil war has made the living situation for everyone in Yemen hell on earth. Children are killed and maimed daily by the conflict, and the kids who are lucky enough to survive do not have access to education. The continuous conflict has closed schools and hospitals leaving children more vulnerable then ever. Their lives have been put on pause, and their positive future outcomes are questionable.
I am writing this right now while having a cool, refreshing, clean glass of water. This is certainly something that I take for granted daily. The people of Yemen do not have this same privilege. The continued conflict affected water and sanitation infrastructure for the cholera outbreak to flourish.
The Yemeni government also stopped funding public health in 2016, and the continued airstrikes destroyed hospitals. The Yemeni government did not pay sanitation workers, either, causing garbage to accumulate. Since the beginning of the outbreak in 2017 and as of February 19th 2020, Y
emen has reported 2,309,859 suspected cholera cases and 3,786 deaths in 2020 and as of February 19th 2020, 56,220 cases have been reported, including 20 associated deaths.COVID-19 further complicates the situation in Yemen due to the shortage of health care staff, functioning hospitals, and equipment. This dysfunctional health system has resulted in hundreds of people dying when it could have been prevented with a serviceable health system and equipment such as ventilators.
The WHO has suggested under some scenarios, half of Yemen’s population of 30 million could be infected by COVID-19, and more than 40,00 could die. Yemen has
no more than 500 ventilators and 700 ICU beds nationwide, and it is an alarming fact considering the population of 30 million. If you have the corona virus in Yemen, you are unfortunately destined for death.
There are so many ways we can help the people of Yemen. Although we are unable to stop the conflict, we are able to support the families that are struggling. Through this fundraiser, you will be supporting families with cash payments to buy food in the market or purchase livestock for a continuous source of food supply.
Yemen’s unemployment rate is projected to reach 13%, which means that many parents will be unable to provide for their children and we must do our part to help them.As a Yemeni who was born in the United States and lived in Canada for all her life, I am truly grateful for being here. I have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of the conflict in Yemen and the growing number of impoverished individuals. I have had the privilege to visit Yemen on numerous occasions and witnessed what a different reality we luckily live in. Menial things such as going to the store, cooking a meal, and going to the gym are all things we have the ability to do safely. We also have the ability to obtain an education and work towards a successful future without fears of our pursuits being stolen from us. The people of Yemen do not have those privileges, and we must do our part to aid them in obtaining a better chance at life.
Doing something positive today to benefit the lives of others will aid us in ensuring that Yemen is restored to a brighter future. Any amount helps and is greatly appreciated.
Our goal is to raise $5000.00 towards the Red Cross Yemeni Appeal. Your donation to the Yemen Appeal will get life-saving assistance to people in desperate need of assistance.
Your donation will strengthen the global Red Cross movement support on the ground in Yemen and deliver hope to those who need it. $0.87 of every dollar given to the Red Cross goes towards program efforts.
Thank you for reading and thank you in advance for your contribution.
Sahar M
