Ameen Aljaradi

The United Nations, published a report that there are about 9 facts the world should know about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, in an encouraging move to receive funding and support for those affected there.

1.Yemen faces the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world

According to various reports, some 19 million people (80% of the population) suffer from severe food shortages and need urgent humanitarian assistance, and 7 million face the threat of starvation.

2. Details of the Yemeni crisis

The crisis in Yemen is the result of a conflict between several forces, where the Houthi rebels, or so-called “coupists,” have dominated the capital Sana’a since September 2014, prompting Yemeni President Abdurbo Mansour Hadi to declare Aden a temporary capital, the Arab Democratic Center said.

The Houthis (backed by Iran) are fighting against the pro-president Yemeni army, which is backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition. It is noteworthy that the coalition began its military operations in Yemen since 2015, in support of “Hadi” Yemeni President.

The United States of America is supporting the Arab coalition and the Yemeni army against Iran and the Houthis on the one hand, and fighting al-Qaeda in Yemen on the other.

The United Nations says conflicts have killed more than 7,000 people and wounded more than 42,000 since violence escalated two years ago.

3. Yemen is about to starve

Yemenis face the biggest food security crisis in the world. There are 7 million people who do not know where their next meals will come from, and one in two children suffers from severe food shortages.

4 . the displacement of millions of their homes

The number of internally displaced persons in Yemen is estimated to be around 2 million, and many have resorted to schools and informal settlements, with limited access to basic services.

5. The conflict impedes the import of commodities into Yemen

Yemen’s conflict has hampered the import of basic commodities. Yemen imports are estimated to account for 80-90 percent of food, fuel and medicines.

The port of Hodeidah operates partially, the country’s main port and is the basis of life for 60 percent of the food-insecure population.

6. The health system is about to collapse

Medical supplies in Yemen have fallen seriously, and many doctors and nurses work for free or get reduced wages.

Humanitarian workers estimate that every 10 minutes a child under five dies of preventable causes.

7. Clean water is now scarce

More than 8 million people suffer from lack of clean water and sanitation, putting them at risk of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and scabies.

8. Women and girls are the most vulnerable in the crisis

The Yemeni crisis has cast a heavy shadow on girls and women, where they are subjected to abuse, exploitation and forced marriage.

UNFPA estimates that violence against women has increased by more than 63% since 2015, which means that some 2.6 million women and girls are at risk.

9. The need for urgent financial support

Some 120 organizations, including 80 national humanitarian organizations, are working hard to contain the crisis in Yemen, but they need urgent financial support and adequate funding to supplement aid and save lives.​