Tag Archive for: Poverty In Yemen

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3 NGOs Operating in Yemen

NGOs Operating in YemenViolent internal conflict, malnourishment and severe weather conditions have resulted in a state of crisis for Yemen. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index ranks Yemen as the 163rd least developed country out of 166 countries in the U.N. index ranking. Internal conflict has led to about half of Yemen’s population, around 18 million, in need of humanitarian assistance with another 4.5 million internally displaced, and in just one year 89 schools and hospitals were bombed highlighting the urgency of the crisis. According to the United Nations SDG Index and the Human Development Index (HDI), Yemen’s consistently increasing poverty rates, worsening food insecurity and the continual destruction of clean water and health care infrastructure indicate a grave need for humanitarian aid. Here are three of the most prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Yemen today.

Save the Children

Save the Children is one of Yemen’s largest and longest-standing organizations working towards development and relief. As suggested by the name, Save the Children prioritizes funds and initiatives geared towards bettering the futures of the world’s children whether that be through education, health and medicine, policy and advocacy and emergency response programs, according to its website.

In response to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, Save the Children has been working on the ground and raising funds to bring much-needed resources to those most vulnerable. The organization has been operating in the country since 1963 and has been recognized as one of the largest NGOs operating in Yemen. Save the Children has delivered life-saving assistance to more than 5 million children in need since March 2015, and has supported more than 200 health facilities in providing vital resources for babies and children across the country, according to its website.

Youth for Homeland

Youth for Homeland (YFH) is an independent youth organization based in Yemen that works alongside its partners and relevant local governments to work towards a more developed future for Yemen. Established in 2013 with two branches, more than 150,000 indirect beneficiaries and 66,000 direct beneficiaries, YFH maintains goals of building economic stability and strong infrastructure across the country. The NGO works with other NGOs and INGOs along with relevant local governments to improve the lives of the Yemeni people.

YFH is actively working towards development in sectors ranging from sanitation and clean water to food security and youth empowerment. Some of the central projects of the organization include campaigns to provide food to vulnerable families, building better water infrastructure for clean water sources, and creating friendly and safe spaces for children in conflict-ridden regions to provide educational opportunities and improve health in the Yemeni youth.

Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation

Advocating for awareness and policy change to U.S. politicians and policymakers while simultaneously working on the ground in Yemen to bring relief to those in need is what the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation (YRRF) values at its core. The YRRF’s mission statement surrounds the central value of rejecting war and violence and focusing completely on fostering peace, a moral principle reflected in each of the foundation’s projects both on the ground and abroad.

With about 18 million Yemeni lacking access to clean water, improving water infrastructure and funding innovative clean water solutions are a top priority for the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation. Since April 2024, YRRF fed more than 1,000 malnourished kids, their families received food baskets and caretakers learned proper feeding techniques. Furthermore, the foundation has changed the lives of 354 Yemeni orphans under the age of 18 through the YRRF’s orphan sponsorship program, thus enabling families to pave the way to brighter futures for themselves and their children.

These select initiatives only scratch the surface of the impact that the YRRF has had on the country. Offering cash transfer programs, delivering clean water tanks, training midwives to encourage safer health practices and supporting economic entrepreneurship are all programs that the foundation promotes across Yemen bringing about change on the ground and advocating for international awareness.

NGOs Operating in Yemen: Making a Change

NGOs operating in Yemen have prioritized support to those who are most vulnerable and advocated for awareness and policy change regarding the crisis. Save the Children, Youth for Homeland and the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation along with their partners and many more charitable organizations both national and worldwide represent hope and dedication to a better future for Yemen and the developing world in its entirety.

– Juliana Granville

Juliana is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Technology and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aid in Yemen: Three Charities Providing Support

aid in yemenAs the civil war in Yemen remains ongoing, so does the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Since 2014, violence offset by the civil war has led to the deaths of 377,000 people in Yemen, including 10,000 children, as of 2022. The impact of the violence reflects through the depletion of resources and economic collapse, leaving 23.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 17.4 million without stable access to food. The rate of malnutrition in children is also incredibly concerning, with estimates suggesting that every 10 minutes a child will lose their life through malnutrition.

Aid in Yemen

UNICEF report from August 2024 suggests that acute malnutrition in Yemen is “rapidly increasing.” It states that the rate of acute malnutrition in Yemen threatens to surge during the lean-season months between July and October, where agricultural activity is minimal. Continuing the provision of aid in Yemen is therefore more important than ever. Numerous charities are doing crucial work to ensure the delivery of aid in Yemen. Islamic Relief Worldwide, Doctors without Borders and Yemen Relief U.K. are all notable examples of charities whose ongoing work is incredibly important, particularly during these critical upcoming months.

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Founded in 1984, Islamic Relief Worldwide is one of the world’s largest relief and development charities and provided £193 million worth of aid in 2022 alone.

Islamic Relief has been active in Yemen since 1998, having strengthened its programming significantly since the outbreak of the civil war. The organization has helped 800,000 people gain access to safe drinking water, providing support for children and establishing 167 new health facilities in the country. Islamic Relief provided food aid in Yemen to at least 2 million people each month until the World Food Programme (WFP) paused its food distribution into the northern regions of Yemen last December.

Doctors Without Borders

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders first started in 1971 in France. MSF provides medical care in situations of unprecedented humanitarian disaster, including during disease outbreaks, natural disasters and conflict. It takes care to be impartial in providing medical care and prioritizing assistance to those most in need. It is currently active in more than 70 countries across the world

In 2023, MSF provided significant medical aid in Yemen, supporting 17 hospitals and 18 health facilities across the country. This includes the support of feeding centres in response to the rising rates of acute malnutrition. For instance, they expanded the therapeutic feeding centre in Abs General Hospital in Hajjah from 45 beds to 88. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/yemen

A recent MSF publication describes how a health care facility in the neglected mountain town of Mafraq Al Mokha now provides care free of charge, thanks to the support of MSF since 2022.

Yemen Relief UK

Yemen Relief U.K. is a U.K.-based charity solely that focuses on providing humanitarian assistance, alleviating poverty and easing suffering in Yemen. It undertakes several programs and projects to provide support.

It provides a charity bakery through the support of donors, supplying bread to thousands of families daily to tackle food insecurity. Yemen Relief also provides food packs and clean water wells through the support of donors. In Yemen, 1.1 million children have lost a parent in the ongoing conflict, leaving many dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. Willing donors can also sponsor an orphan through Yemen Relief U.K.

Willing donors can also sponsor an orphan through Yemen Relief UK. 1.1 million children have lost a parent in the ongoing conflict, leaving many dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. https://www.yemenrelief.org.uk/yemen-orphan-sponsorship/

The Future of Aid in Yemen

As UNICEF highlights, the continued support of Yemen is crucial in the next couple of months when acute malnutrition threatens to rise.

The rising rate of malnutrition can be mitigated if charities such as Islamic Relief, MSF and Yemen Relief U.K. continue to be supported in providing medical care and aid in Yemen. These charities, among many others, have already had a positive impact on the livelihoods of thousands of families in Yemen. The world’s largest humanitarian crisis has been devastating, yet there is hope for Yemen’s future thanks to the continued charitable work and support being done in the country.

– Joshua Marriott

Joshua is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Enhancing WASH Services in Yemen

WASH Services in YemenThe people of Yemen, a country devastated by conflict, struggle with the lack of access to sanitation services and clean water, also known as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH). According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 16 million Yemenis urgently need WASH services.

One of the main factors that increase the need for WASH services in Yemen is displacement as a result of conflict, natural disasters and epidemic outbreaks. Another factor is the disruption of public services in Yemen, which left only one-third of the Yemen population connected to a piped water network. Therefore, countries and international organizations have been working together to provide and facilitate access to WASH services.

Saudi Arabia-WHO WASH Services in Yemen

On July 30, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid agency, announced a $3.75 million project to enhance WASH services in Yemen to help the most vulnerable populations across the country.

The project will upgrade WASH infrastructure in two hospitals, enabling 10 health facilities to sustain water and water services in 60 other facilities. An estimated 580,231 internally displaced people and vulnerable groups will benefit from this project, which will also improve maternal health and disease prevention. This project aligns with the United Nations’ (U.N.) “Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2024,” which seeks to provide more relief and assistance to vulnerable groups in Yemen.

KSRelief’s Efforts to Support WASH Services in Yemen

Before the announcement of this joint project with WHO, Saudi Arabia provided support for enhancing WASH services in Yemen. On December 22, 2023, KSRelief pumped more than 39 million liters of water for the people in the Hajjah and Sa’adah governorates in Yemen to support WASH services in the country. In Hajjah, 3.443 million liters of the 39 million liters were used as potable water and 35.013 million were used as usable water.

Furthermore, in Hajjah, KSRelief provided 308 waste transportation services and conducted nine insecticide spraying campaigns. In Sa’adah, 300,000 liters of water were used as both portable and usable water, benefiting 30,100 people. Although these efforts were large in scale, Saudi Arabia also required collaboration with international organizations with the resources to expand its support for WASH services.

International Organizations’ Key Role in WASH Services

Enhancing WASH services in Yemen requires the collective power of international humanitarian organizations such as WHO and UNICEF, which have a record of facilitating Yemenis’ access to WASH services. For example, in 2021, UNICEF managed to help primary health care facilities (PHCF) and schools in Yemen rehabilitate and upgrade their water and sanitation systems with funding from the World Bank. The total number of PHCFs supported was 496 and the number of schools supported was 118 as of October 2021.

Similarly, from 2017-2021, the WHO conducted WASH rehabilitation in 70 hospitals across Yemen and provided 1,100 million liters of chlorinated water to 42 governorate hospitals, district hospitals and inner-district hospitals. All of this has benefitted 5.5 million Yemenis, highlighting the necessity for countries to work with international organizations to provide greater access to WASH services to more vulnerable individuals.

Access to Water and Hygiene Services

Enhancing WASH services in Yemen is important because it helps prevent global disease outbreaks, given the existing epidemics in Yemen, such as Cholera. Therefore, seeing countries like Saudi Arabia and organizations such as WHO work together on large-scale projects aimed at rehabilitating and facilitating access to WASH services is proof that there are good people to protect public health globally. However, given the numerous issues in Yemen, more has to be done to support WASH services.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Youth Organizations in Yemen and Myanmar

Youth OrganizationsYemen and Myanmar face significant humanitarian issues. The issue is due to governments imposing restrictions and regulations preventing assistance. The threat of economic collapse also hinders the delivery of resources needed to rebuild broken communities. It is not just the work of today’s older generations that can stop these unnecessary hardships but also the help of younger minds who amplify their voices through youth organizations to bring about the needed change. Adolescents in humanitarian action provide more support to nations in need through their contributions and by leading solutions that call for change to stop negative possibilities.

Yemen

A 23-page report titled “Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security” written by Youth4Peace reflects the views of more than 4,000 people and the impact the younger generation makes on the world. Youth organizations play a crucial role in turning young people’s ideas into reality, significantly impacting and revitalizing broken communities.

Yemen Youth Lead is considered an important initiative for effecting change in Yemen’s climate. In association with Partners Global, Yemeni youth have successfully highlighted to government officials and international donors the importance of including young people in policy conversations to affect communities in need positively. Mohammed Al-Shami, a Yemen-born computer engineer turned advocate and guest blogger for Partners Global, volunteered with local communities and civil societies before partnering with Yemen Youth Lead. “I have personally witnessed the fearlessness, hope and commitment that the youth of Yemen had to offer,” he said, “I know firsthand Yemen’s transformation will come through the efforts of the youth.”

The Youth Without Borders Organization for Development is another nonprofit Yemeni foundation focusing on socially empowering Yemeni youth. Part of its mission is to work with passionate professionalism to provide an environment conducive to young people playing more significant roles later in life. Based on its belief that youth play a major part in public decision-making, the organization seeks to empower them through sustainable programs designed for the Yemeni reality. It cooperates with local and international partners to enhance community work, delivering effectiveness in public life and peacebuilding in Yemen.

Additionally, the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation aims to increase public awareness of humanitarian crises in Yemen, support relief and reconstruction efforts and facilitate campaigns to bring peace to the country through U.S. lobbying and policymakers. Its best strategic aim is promoting broad awareness of grave health and security issues by raising funds to support critical needs and relief efforts. Ultimately, this accumulates into advocating and facilitating support for the Yemeni people during the reconstruction efforts. The organization’s president, Aisha Jumaan, a Yemeni-born citizen, uses her experiences to help build health-related development and training activities to improve the living conditions of Yemeni citizens.

Myanmar

In Myanmar, the Myanmar Youth Empowerment Opportunities (MYEO) offers a mobile-based platform to reach out to the country’s youth and provide the skills necessary for being ready for future employment. The organization’s app delivers social media content that includes jobs, internships and volunteering, complete with online training, mobile partners and membership programs at an affordable cost.

Another Myanmar program that offers support is Peace Point Myanmar (PPM). PPM is a group of Myanmar’s youth that offers different kinds of support and empowerment training to develop skills later in society. PPM offers human rights programs along with peace-building and youth development. One of its greatest strengths as an organization is the ability to deliver library projects that educate those vulnerable by promising fun activities and learning materials to all. PPM’s library project greatly reduces anger and tension among the youth and encourages more moderate positions with social cohesion.

Youth Organizations in Yemen and Myanmar

The efforts to make a change in both countries with the youth in mind are progressing slowly. While these efforts are taking longer due to increasing global issues, Yemen and Myanmar represent the first steps toward building a better future for the world’s youth.

– Jacob Barker

Jacob is based in Ames, IA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Poverty and Hunger in Yemen Are Interconnected

Hunger in YemenYemen has triumphed through a difficult past. Unfortunately, remnants of this politically complex past, from civil wars to foreign interference, continue to affect the population today. Hunger in Yemen is rampant – out of a population of 33.7 million, 17 million are food insecure, with 18.6 million also requiring humanitarian assistance. Poverty and hunger in Yemen are not mutually exclusive, with food prices rising by 45% and the expensive scramble to eat resulting in more than 70% of the population residing below the poverty line. Having already withstood numerous injustices, the population shines in their ability to cope, but this does not mean hunger in Yemen can be overlooked, and these harrowing statistics raise the critical question of what must be started, or reinforced, to ensure that Yemen can recover from its rocky past.

Hunger and Poverty in Yemen

Conflict since 2015, from civil to proxy, has resulted in unfortunately growing hunger in Yemen as well as poverty extremes. Around 4.5 million people are internally displaced, with the majority residing in camps. In the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Yemen had a score of 39.9, with the range of 35.0 to 49.9 labelled as “Alarming.”

However, this score of 39.9 has dropped from the score of 42.1 in 2015, proving that global action to subvert this crisis as much as possible has been slightly beneficial.

Additionally, more than 308,000 migrants, mainly from Ethiopia and Somalia, are currently in Yemen while migrating through the Eastern Route, according to the INTERSOS. Escaping conflict of their own, these migrants only add to the mouths to feed within the country and intensify the hunger crisis.

Subverting Poverty

Bearing this in mind, The World Food Programme (WFP) and other subsets of the United Nations, have played a critical role in attempting to alleviate hunger and poverty in Yemen. According to WFP, it provides food over 4,360 distribution points across the country, covering all 333 districts of Yemen. Close to 2 million students across 4,600 Yemeni schools received fortified date bars or biscuits every day, under the Healthy Kitchens project.

Each month, the WFP distributes close to “100,000 metric tons of food commodities at more than 5,000 points, reaching more than 8 million Yemenis.”

Reinforcing These Initiatives

In December 2023, the WFP notified the world of a halt in food distribution due to limited funding and no agreement with local authorities on the best way to proceed with food deliveries. Considering the slow yet positive impact of the initiatives mentioned above, it is imperative to intensify the funding to the WFP, taking global action towards mitigating hunger.

Bearing this in mind, increasing WFP funding efforts and encouraging greater food distribution will help ensure the gradual mitigation of hunger in Yemen. Raising awareness, engaging with the WFP and interacting with Yemenis will help drive efforts to resume food distribution and convey the seriousness of arriving at funding agreements.

– Disheta Anand

Disheta is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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4 Countries Improving Malnutrition with RUTF

4 Countries Improving Malnutrition with RUTFThe global malnutrition crisis significantly impacts millions in underdeveloped nations. According to the World Food Programme, severe food insecurity affects more than 309 million people across 72 countries. This crisis stems from factors beyond poverty, including inadequate dietary intake, limited healthcare services and a lack of access to safe drinking water and resources. Ready-to-use therapeutic Food (RUTF) has become a key intervention in combating global malnutrition effectively.

Improving Malnutrition with RUTF

André Briend and Michel Lescanne developed RUTF more than 25 years ago to offer effective nutritional treatment for malnourished children. This high-energy paste includes ingredients like powdered milk and peanuts, along with essential vitamins, providing substantial nutritional value without the need for water or concerns about rapid spoilage. UNICEF reports that consuming three packets of RUTF daily for six to eight weeks can significantly address acute malnutrition in children and the agency currently distributes approximately 80% of the global supply. Additionally, numerous nongovernmental organizations are involved in distributing RUTF. Several countries have revealed notable improvements in the nutritional status of children and adults facing chronic malnutrition through the use of RUTF.

Yemen

Yemen faces a severe food security crisis, with 56% of its population lacking proper nutrition and nearly 500,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition. In response, UNICEF has partnered with USAID’s Office of Food for Peace and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to combat starvation among children using RUTF. In the Tur Al Bahah district’s Al-Khatabiah area, 20% of children are acutely malnourished. Local health centers, supported by UNICEF, screen for malnutrition, provide RUTF treatment and conduct follow-up check-ups. The treatment has significantly aided recovery, improving conditions for affected families. USAID/BHA has supplied RUTF to address more than 144,000 cases of malnutrition in Yemen, underscoring the critical role of RUTF in combating the nation’s food insecurity.

Haiti

In Haiti, the struggle against malnutrition intensifies amid natural disasters, poor sanitation and economic challenges. With a population of 11.7 million, nearly 4.3 million face acute malnutrition and more than 22% of children under age 5 experience chronic hunger. The country’s escalating violence often hampers access to healthcare centers. To combat this, nongovernmental organizations, like Meds and Food for Kids, deliver nutritional support with their RUTF known locally as “Medika Mamba” or “Peanut Butter Medicine.” This product effectively restores essential micronutrients and is produced following standards set by PlumpyField and Nutriset, global leaders in nutritional solutions. Annually, Meds and Food for Kids produces more than 1000 metric tons of RUTF, achieving a 92% treatment success rate for malnourished children within 8 to 12 weeks.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, environmental challenges such as droughts and declining livestock productivity exacerbate food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdown measures further worsened the situation as nearly one million children lost access to school feeding programs. This has led to acute malnutrition and a rise in micronutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency anemia and Vitamin A deficiency. To combat this, Ethiopia’s government and UNICEF have committed to protecting vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women. Since 2007, Hilina Enriched Foods has collaborated with UNICEF to distribute RUTF to communities in urgent need. This partnership leverages ‘last-mile distribution’ strategies to deliver RUTF directly to health facilities, ensuring timely supply across 240 districts and improving malnutrition management in hard-to-reach areas.

Democratic Republic of Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), malnutrition affects 40% of children. From June 2023 to June 2024, about 1.1 million children ages 6 to 59 months and 605,000 pregnant women experienced high rates of acute malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child wasting as rapid weight and muscle loss due to insufficient nutrient intake, often exacerbated by inadequate feeding practices and scarce resources. To combat this, the DRC has integrated RUTF into its national healthcare strategy, including listing it on the Essential Medicines List. UNICEF, the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the World Bank and various NGOs with private funding have supplied RUTF.

Moving Forward

UNICEF has acknowledged the integration of RUTF in national clinical guidelines for malnutrition management across 71 countries. This adoption underscores a growing reliance on RUTF to combat global malnutrition effectively. Nations such as Yemen, Haiti, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have made significant strides by incorporating RUTF into their health strategies, revealing marked improvements in severe malnutrition cases. The support from UNICEF, USAID and various nongovernmental organizations has been instrumental in these ongoing efforts. Continued investment and focus on the programs could be essential for reducing malnutrition and improving health outcomes globally.

– Abigail Lobo

Abigail is based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Joint Efforts to Support the Hudaydah Agreement

The Joint Efforts to Support the Hudaydah Agreement The Hudaydah port in Yemen plays an impactful role, handling 70% of the nation’s imports, including crucial humanitarian aid and commercial supplies. The ongoing conflict has disrupted operations at Hudaydah and the nearby Saleef port, drastically affecting more than eight million Yemenis who rely on these imports. To mitigate this humanitarian crisis, the conflicting parties established the Hudaydah Agreement, which aims to shield the ports from conflict. The United Nations (U.N.) monitors this agreement to ensure compliance and maintain the essential flow of goods.

Strengthening the Hudaydah Agreement

On June 14, 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the U.N., Abdulaziz AlWasil, met with Michael Beary, Head of the U.N. Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA), in New York City. The meeting focused on reinforcing the agreement that plays a crucial role in maintaining the flow of humanitarian aid through Yemen’s vital Hudaydah ports. Both Saudi Arabia and the U.N. have committed to ensuring the stability and security of these ports and advancing peace throughout Yemen. Their diplomatic efforts, including the Hudaydah Agreement, exemplify ongoing initiatives to resolve the conflict and promote recovery in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in Yemen’s Diplomacy

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with allied nations and the U.N., is vigorously advocating for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Yemen. Over the past year, Saudi Arabia has facilitated negotiations between Yemen’s internationally recognized government based in Aden and the Houthi rebels. These ongoing discussions aim to cease the fighting and ensure the full reopening of ports critical for importing humanitarian aid. The efforts of Saudi Arabia to secure a ceasefire and safeguard the Hudaydah ports received commendation from Hans Grundberg, the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen, who described them as a “step change.” According to U.N. and Saudi officials, the diplomatic initiatives supporting the Hudaydah Agreement are making progress and have been ongoing for an extended period.

The United Nation’s Diplomatic Initiatives

In collaboration with Saudi Arabia, the U.N. has been intensively engaged in diplomatic efforts to ensure the ongoing delivery of aid to Yemen through the Hudaydah ports and other channels. On December 26, 2023, U.N. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg announced ongoing discussions with both the Yemeni government in Aden and the Houthi rebels. These talks aim to create a peace roadmap for Yemen that can potentially benefit all citizens, particularly those in dire need. Key elements of the roadmap include a nationwide ceasefire, the reopening of roads in various regions and reducing restrictions on essential ports like those in Hudaydah.

A Unified Approach to Resolve Yemen’s Crisis

The collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the U.N. exemplifies a unified approach to addressing the complex challenges in Yemen. Through sustained diplomatic efforts and strategic interventions, both entities aim to secure a stable and peaceful environment in Yemen, ensuring that aid reaches those in dire need and paving the way toward a resolution of the protracted conflict.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News, and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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USAID Programs Push Yemen toward National Stability 

USAID ProgramsYemen has one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to prolonged instability after Houthi insurgents took control of Yemen’s capital and largest city in 2014. Now, out of the 35.2 million Yemeni citizens, at least 18.2 million live in severe poverty and rely on foreign aid. The United States government actively provides humanitarian aid to Yemen. In 2024, it announced nearly $220 million in funding to advance Yemen’s transition toward stability. USAID programs in Yemen target key areas that require development and support and are integral to the survival of the Yemeni population.

Food Security

In Yemen, 17.6 million people face high levels of food and nutrition insecurity. USAID funding supports the efforts of the World Food Programme (WFP) and seven NGOs to provide food assistance across Yemen. The funding provides communities with U.S. and locally sourced commodities and cash vouchers for individuals without enough money to shop at local markets, according to a 2024 USAID fact sheet.

In October 2023, USAID contributed $10.1 million for ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) providing for 144,000 cases of treatment to severe and acute malnutrition.

Health

Years of conflict have left more than 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, yet 50%, of health facilities in Yemen are non-functioning or only partly functioning due to a lack of funds, medicines, supplies electricity, and equipment. USAID funding provides primary care and nutrition services to Yemen through static and mobile medical facilities. Additional funding equips health facilities with medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, according to a 2024 USAID fact sheet. USAID funding enabled the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide medical oxygen to more than 1 million patients at 25 hospitals in Yemen during 2021 and 2022.

Water Sanitation

Ongoing conflicts in Yemen increasingly destroy the country’s water and hygiene infrastructure. Now, Yemen faces one of the world’s worst water crises with 16 million people in urgent need of water sanitation and hygiene. With the help of USAID, an additional 1.8 million Yemenis have access to clean water and improved sanitation services in 2024. USAID funds the rehabilitation of water systems, improved sanitation services such as repaired sewage networks, and the installation of toilets and handwashing facilities in homes and health facilities.

Education

A lack of reliable school facilities and resources leaves millions of Yemeni children uneducated. USAID funding in Yemen reached 275,000 children across 676 formal and informal educational settings in 2024, according to the Yemen Country Profile. Aid funds teacher training, educational equipment, teaching materials, child protection, water sanitation and hygiene activities. Due to conflicts and natural disasters, USAID funds home learning programs to maintain education in communities battling school closures.

National Economy Support

USAID programs focus on strengthening the Yemeni economy hoping a stable national economy will increase overall stability in Yemen. USAID helped Yemen establish its first foreign exchange auctions, increasing transparency and stabilizing previously volatile exchange rates, while also supporting the implementation of 17 World Trade Organization (WTO) trade facilitation agreements. Additionally, USAID facilitated more than $2 million in export sales agreements. USAID works to strengthen economic institutions such as the Central Bank of Yemen.

Despite the severe humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflicts, the United States remains committed to providing crucial humanitarian support via USAID programs in Yemen. Through multi-faceted programs addressing food security, health, water and sanitation, education, and economic development, this assistance aims to alleviate suffering, build resilience, and support Yemen’s fragile transition towards stability. While challenges persist, this comprehensive approach demonstrates the international community’s dedication to helping Yemen overcome adversity and create a more promising future for its citizens.

– Lauren Thompson

Lauren is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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KSRelief-WHO Funding Agreement for Sudan, Syria and Yemen

KSRelief-WHO Funding Agreement for Sudan, Syria and Yemen Ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Syria and Yemen have devastated public health institutions and affected millions. In Sudan, more than two-thirds of main hospitals are out of service, leaving 11 million people in need of urgent health care since April 2023. Syria faces a similar crisis, with more than 12.2 million people needing immediate medical attention due to inadequate health facility services. In Yemen, about 46% of health facilities are nonfunctional or partially operational, affecting 21.6 million people, at least two-thirds of the population. In response, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) is actively providing crucial support and resources to address these health care challenges.

International Aid and Collaboration

On May 25, 2024, KSRelief signed an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to fund WHO’s critical health response operations in Sudan, Syria and Yemen to the amount of $19.4 million. Before signing the funding agreement, both organizations worked extensively to alleviate the pain the people in Sudan, Syria and Yemen endured.

At Jordan’s Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees, KSRelief has been operating medical clinics where doctors have provided health care assistance, including treatment for sinus and middle ear infections, to 2,349 Syrian patients. Similarly, WHO has been reinforcing disease surveillance in Sudan and Yemen to help countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia respond effectively to the health crises in these countries. KSRelief’s funding support to WHO’s critical health operations in Sudan, Syria and Yemen facilitates medical care on the ground.

Funding Dialysis Treatments in Sudan

KSRelief’s efforts includes providing $5 million to supply 100 dialysis machines and strengthen dialysis centers in Sudan. Currently, 77 renal dialysis centers in Sudan are only partially functioning and cannot provide life-saving dialysis treatment for the Sudanese people. According to the International Society of Nephrology, there are approximately 8,000 Sudanese people and more who have been relying on dialysis to stay alive since the conflict started. 

Healing Syria After the Earthquakes

On Feb. 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake in Syria destroyed many buildings, including essential hospitals and health clinics, affecting 8.8 million Syrians and resulting in the deaths of 5,954 Syrians. KSRelief supported WHO with a $4.75 million contribution to provide necessary medications and supplies to around 350,000 Syrians in need urgent health care. The funds allocated to Syria will also help WHO restore diagnostic capacity and ambulance services, assisting an estimated 4.1 million Syrians.

Countering Disease Outbreaks in Yemen

KSRelief is providing $9.5 million to support WHO’s operations in Yemen, focusing on strengthening responses to disease outbreaks like cholera and measles. Yemen currently faces over 40,000 suspected cholera cases and more than 34,000 cases of measles and rubella as of August 31, 2023. This funding also aims to help WHO enhance health care facilities in Yemen by improving their sanitation and hygiene services, thereby boosting their capacity to tackle disease outbreaks. These ongoing efforts are expected to benefit approximately 12.9 million Yemenis in urgent need of care due to the public health crisis.

Multilateral Collaboration to Address Critical Health Issues

KSRelief’s critical financial support to WHO’s health operations aims to ensure the safety of Sudanese, Syrian and Yemeni people who dream of a stable and secure future. The ongoing efforts highlight the impact multilateral collaboration between countries and organizations could have in addressing global health issues.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Yemen’s Water Crisis

Yemen's Water CrisisYemen, strategically located on the Southern Arab peninsula, has a rich history shaped by thousands of years of societal and dynastic changes, resulting in a diverse society. However, modern warfare and harsh weather conditions have contributed to significant water insecurity. In 2023, Human Rights Watch reported that 15.3 million Yemenis face water crisis, while other estimates suggest the number could be as high as 20 million. This makes Yemen one of the most water-scarce countries in the world.

Causes of the Water Crisis

The American Education Global Majority Journal identifies five primary causes for Yemen’s water crisis: high population growth, misguided agricultural policies, water consumption for qat cultivation, lack of law enforcement in water regulation and high vulnerability to climate change. Additionally, the ongoing conflict since 2014 has severely disrupted water and agricultural systems, particularly in peri-urban and internally displaced persons (IDP) areas. It impedes the construction of responsive infrastructure and diverts internal funding away from water projects. Understanding these dynamics is essential for addressing Yemeni security challenges.

Impact of the Water Crisis

The destruction of water and sanitation systems during wartime in Yemen has facilitated the spread of water-borne diseases. For instance, a cholera outbreak in 2016 spread across 19 governorates, affecting 53,000 people and it is estimated that half a million children suffer from diarrhea at any given time. Additionally, UNICEF predicts that 2 million boys and girls in Yemen are denied an education due to the scarcity of wells and flowing water networks. The need to travel miles for water often falls on children, pulling them away from their education. In the Dhamar governorate, for example, the water network has suffered significantly due to limited financial resources and the ongoing crisis, forcing many students to leave school to help fetch water from remote areas to support their families.

Currently, 257,000 hectares of Yemen’s agricultural land reveal signs of distress. Water scarcity not only reduces agricultural production but also exacerbates food and nutrition security issues, leading to widespread health problems. This is compounded by ongoing conflict that has disrupted agrifood systems throughout the country.

Local Efforts to Alleviate Yemen’s Water Crisis

Saba Relief, one of many local charity organizations in Yemen, provides water wells, family water tanks and public water tanks funded by public donations. This support enables families to access water without traveling long distances, freeing up time for other opportunities, such as schooling for children.

International Aid and Technological Innovations

International charities like Muslim Aid USA are leveraging scientific advancements such as solar water disinfection. Unlike conventional well pumps that use grid electricity, a solar-powered pump operates on free energy from the sun. Solar water wells use this solar energy to purify biologically contaminated water, significantly reducing disease risk and bringing stability to communities in drought-prone areas affected by wartime migration.

Another benefit of international involvement is the sharing of techniques and methods to tackle the water crisis in Yemen. For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands has successfully implemented water-saving measures in agricultural practices, reducing usage by 19% from 72.6 cubic meters per hectare a year (approximately the volume of a one-car garage) to 58.56 cubic meters (about twice the volume of a large U-Haul truck) per hectare per year. The project began by importing modern irrigation equipment into the Sana basin. A second ongoing project builds on this success and aims to enhance water use efficiency further.

Strengthening Local Governance and Infrastructure

In 2023, the United Nations (U.N.) initiated the ‘Strengthening Inclusive Local Governance and Peacebuilding in Yemen’ project, which successfully rehabilitated the main water networks in Maghrib Ans and Al-Jadad. Samira Al-Qanoun, member of the Consultation Committee in Dhamar Governorate, praised the project, noting, “The rehabilitation of the network allows us access to clean and safe water, enhances our community safety and improves the overall living conditions of families.” Currently serving 420 households, the newly rehabilitated water network is set to expand service to more than 800 households, setting the stage for future community projects supported by international aid.

Toward a Sustainable Solution

As stated by Ahmed Ali Al-Dourani “We cannot achieve peace without providing access to clean and safe water to every community member.” Efforts to combat Yemen’s water crisis reveal promise through local initiatives and crucial international support. By continuing to embrace technological innovations and strengthening governance, Yemen could further enhance water access for its citizens.

– Kathryn Dodd

Kathryn is based in the UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr