Tag Archive for: Poverty In Yemen

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Neglected Tropical Diseases in Yemen

Neglected Tropical Diseases in Yemen Amid the civil conflict in Yemen, neglected tropical diseases such as dengue, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis are severely impacting citizens and challenging the country’s public health sector. For a time, these diseases became prevalent across Yemen. Fortunately, interventions by international NGOs, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), have been instrumental in curbing the spread of these diseases.

Dengue in Yemen

Dengue fever has significantly impacted Yemen, particularly over the past decade, with major outbreaks occurring in 2015 and 2019. Efforts to control the disease’s spread among Yemen’s conflict-affected population have been ongoing. In 2015 alone, Yemen experienced an unprecedented surge in dengue cases, with more than 6,777 suspected instances reported.

In 2019, Yemen reported 76,768 suspected dengue cases and 271 deaths, with 71% of all cases occurring in the Al Hodeidah region. This region alone recorded 5,524 cases and 11 deaths in the first month of 2019. Following the 2019 outbreak, the number of suspected dengue cases in 2020 surged to seven times the figures from 2019 and six times those from 2018.

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis remains another neglected tropical disease in Yemen, which reports some of the highest case numbers worldwide. It is particularly prevalent in rural areas, with about 4,440 cases recorded in 2019. A 2023 study found that 33% of participants had active skin lesions or scars meeting the clinical criteria for leishmaniasis and 14.7% displayed suspected active lesions. The study confirmed a high prevalence of leishmaniasis in Yemen.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis remains a critical but neglected tropical disease in Yemen that urgently requires attention. In 2013, it was identified as the second leading cause of death after malaria, with an estimated 3 million cases. As of 2021, a survey revealed that the disease continues to affect a significant portion of the population. However, the risk of contracting schistosomiasis has decreased from one in five residents to fewer than one in 15.

Efforts of WHO and DNDi Programs

International organizations such as the WHO have long worked to address neglected diseases in Yemen. The WHO runs an elimination program for schistosomiasis and a control program for cutaneous leishmaniasis. These programs provide guidelines for case management, treatment, and mass drug administration, where appropriate, aiming to eradicate these neglected tropical diseases in Yemen.

The DNDi, a nonprofit organization, develops new treatments for neglected tropical diseases that primarily affect impoverished populations. It continues to research how to produce effective drugs and vaccines to treat and prevent neglected tropical diseases globally, with Yemen among the potential beneficiaries.

The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen pose significant challenges to implementing and advancing programs for neglected tropical diseases. Despite these obstacles, WHO, in collaboration with local partners, continues to prioritize and support efforts to combat these diseases in the country.

Looking Forward

The combined efforts of WHO and DNDi are setting a hopeful trajectory toward mitigating neglected tropical diseases in Yemen. The innovative health strategies hold promise for improving the lives of Yemen’s most vulnerable populations.

– Olusegun Odejobi

Olusegun is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Yemen Crisis: The Largest Global Humanitarian Crisis

The Yemen CrisisSince 2015, Yemen has been experiencing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. There is an ongoing civil war which is the cause of the outspread of food insecurity and the economic downfall of Yemen that is currently happening. This has left the people of Yemen with a lack of resources such as food, water and medical assistance. There are currently 23.4 million in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen. On top of that, the Yemen crisis has led to more than 17.4 million people in Yemen being food insecure and do not have stable access to food and water while an additional 1.6 million are in a state of emergency in terms of hunger.

A Crisis On Children

Due to Yemen experiencing the largest famine in the world, this also means the rate of child malnutrition is high as well. This is one of many serious problems Yemen is facing right now. Estimates have indicated that every 10 minutes, a child in Yemen loses their life because of malnutrition. Around half a million children are experiencing severe starvation with the death toll being 85,000 due to starvation in children. In 2022, predictions indicated that an estimated 450,000 would experience severe malnutrition and possibly die.

Why The Yemen Crisis Matters

Adequate access to resources like food, water and health care is essential to living a healthy life as well as avoiding disease. The people in Yemen have not been able to have adequate access to these essentials for years which is a major problem. Yemen is also the poorest country in the Middle East, making it more difficult for the people there to receive opportunities to live better and healthier lives. They are being affected in all health aspects from being unable to eat or drink enough, to lack of proper medical attention when people are experiencing malnutrition and diseases like malaria and respiratory infections which are very prevalent in Yemen.

UNICEF’s Work

The situation in Yemen calls for an immense amount of support as well as a lot of funding from large stakeholders to help provide aid to the people in Yemen. One effective solution that can help support the people in Yemen is by spreading awareness. UNICEF is a large organization that has helped in assisting Yemen by spreading awareness of the crisis in Yemen and also providing aid. UNICEF’s mission is to provide support to those who are less fortunate.

UNICEF is an organization that helps with global humanitarian problems. It has individuals in the field of medicine and education that are assisting in providing food and education for the children while they have other individuals from UNICEF restabilizing damaged schools and hospitals. While UNICEF has supported Yemen greatly with the aid it was able to provide to
Yemenis there is still more that needs to occur. UNICEF inquires that in order to continue giving its support in Yemen, it need an estimated $484.4 million which it have raised $77.8 million in funding for aid.

Save the Children’s Efforts

Another organization that has supported Yemen is Save the Children. Save the Children is an organization targeted to support children in need. It helps children all around the world with many things like food, education, protection and health. It has been giving support in Yemen to Yemeni children since 1963 and were one of the first organizations to reach out when the war started in 2015.

Looking Ahead

The crisis in Yemen is not a national problem but a global one. They are battling multiple problems. The severity of the crisis Yemenis are experiencing is something that will take years to recover from which means they need all the awareness and support they can get. There is great importance in understanding social determinants of health in public health. This is because the occurrence of many public health issues can be addressed through social determinants of health and can explain why they happen. The heartbreaking state of Yemen is due to the fact they are lacking many of those social determinants and the main forms of support that individuals can give to them is through contacting officials and raising as much awareness as they can.

– Munira Said
Photo: Flickr

Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Yemen

Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in YemenThe Republic of Yemen occupies the southern end of the Middle East’s Arabian Peninsula. Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Yemen was once the crossroads between Africa, Asia and the Middle East. From 1918 to 1990, Yemen was separated into two competing countries including independent North Yemen and British-backed South Yemen. In 1990, both countries unified to create The Republic of Yemen. However, despite these advances in government, the Yemeni political climate radically destabilized in 2011, as the Arab Spring swept across neighboring countries. Since 2014, a brutal civil war has gripped Yemen, leaving its population of 33 million vulnerable to disease, food shortage and overwhelming poverty. Today, Yemen is the second-poorest nation in the Middle East, and more than 80% of Yemenis live below the poverty line.

Here is everything you need to know about poverty in Yemen.

1. The Yemeni Civil War has destabilized the government

The Yemeni Civil War is a conflict primarily between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi rebel movement, which claims its stronghold in Yemen’s northern territories. In 2011, uprisings forced Yemen’s authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to cede power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. However, Hadi struggled to address the country’s corruption, food insecurity and militant incursions. In 2014, the Houthi rebel movement, allied with former president Saleh, seized control of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital and most populous city. The Houthis are an Iranian-backed Shiite group that has long undermined Yemen’s predominantly Sunni government. In 2015, Saudi Arabia and 8 other Sunni states with the help of U.S., U.K. and French aid, launched air attacks, hoping to restore president Hadi to power. The ensuing civil war has prompted a large-scale humanitarian crisis and has claimed the lives of over 15,000 civilians. Those remaining have been challenged with famine, poverty and disease outbreak.

2. The Yemeni economy continues to fail

Even before the outbreak of its civil war, Yemen struggled to keep pace with changing markets. Political corruption hampered Yemen’s economy, while revenues from oil and gas reserves continued to decline. The civil war has further damaged economic infrastructure, contributing to high unemployment and poverty rates, while also alienating international investment. Since the conflict’s onset, the Yemeni economy has shrunk by half.

3. Many Yemenis have been displaced by conflict

Civilian vulnerability to military attack has forced an estimated 4.5 million people or 14% of Yemen’s population to flee their homes. Many Yemenis have been displaced multiple times since 2015, ranking Yemen in the top six of internal displacement crises worldwide. As Yemenis continue to live in exile, they strain already limited food, water and sanitation resources. 

4. Yemen nears famine

As a food-deficient country, Yemen has often relied upon imports to nourish its population. However, its civil war has stymied international trade and weakened its access to food supplies. Food prices have soared, hindering accessibility for Yemen’s poverty-stricken population. As a result, hunger is rampant, with many Yemenis forced to skip meals or to severely restrict portion size. Some have pawned belongings and sold assets to raise money for adequate food supplies. Oftentimes, Yemeni women struggle the most, giving portions to children and family members at the expense of their own nourishment. 

5. Poverty in Yemen affects women and girls disproportionately

Women and children make up 80% of Yemen’s displaced population, with women heading 26% of displaced households. In the midst of such upheaval, women and girls are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence, often falling victim to child marriage and human trafficking. Widespread food insecurity and an eroding health care system have led to a severe increase in the maternal mortality rate: one woman dies in childbirth every two hours. 

6. Communities are vulnerable to infectious diseases

Both the civil war and COVID-19 have strained Yemen’s already fragile healthcare system. 46% of healthcare facilities across the country are only partially functioning or completely defunct, due to insufficient staff, funding and medical resources. Similarly, large-scale displacement and infrastructure collapse has hampered access to clean water and sanitation facilities, with 9.4 million people in acute need of water, sanitation and hygiene services. As a result, communicable diseases have run rampant, including measles, diphtheria and polio. Yemen is also reporting an unprecedented cholera outbreak. From 2012 to 2021, Yemen reported an estimated 2.5 million cholera cases, with 4,000 cholera-related deaths. 

7. Humanitarian aid combats poverty in Yemen

The crisis in Yemen has caught the attention of the international humanitarian community. With 21.6 million Yemenis in need of aid, the UN has designated Yemen the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Despite Houthi attempts to block aid packages, several leading organizations have joined the effort to improve food access, water availability and medical services. For instance, UNICEF is supplying therapeutic food to treat acute malnutrition in children. Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund hopes to allocate $7 million to improve women’s access to reproductive and neonatal care, reaching an estimated 3.9 million people. 

A Look Ahead

Though the civil war in Yemen continues to deny the Yemeni population economic security, adequate food supplies and basic health services, there is some chance of peace. In 2022, the UN brokered a ceasefire between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government, which was renewed to extend from April to October 2022. Though the truce has technically expired, a mutual diplomacy has slowed the conflict, allowing back-channel discussions between Saudi and Houthi representatives to continue, albeit slowly. As the negotiations unfold, civilians hope for an escape from hunger, violence and poverty in Yemen. 

– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Period Poverty in Yemen 

Period Poverty in Yemen Due to an almost decade-long civil war, Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. With almost 80% (approximately 26.38 million) of the country’s population now living in poverty, girls and women are not able to always have access to menstrual products. For girls living in poverty in Yemen, getting their period could completely change their lives. The effects of poverty on menstruating women are often a neglected topic. ‘Period poverty’ refers to the situation where menstrual products and other necessities may not be obtainable. In some cases, period poverty may be a factor driving many people further into extreme poverty. 

Education and Mental Health

As of October 2023, UNICEF reported that there were already more than 2.7 million children in Yemen out of school. The budget for schools and the education sector have not received significant attention due to the economic crisis and conflict. Therefore, when at school, children lack the basic resources they need to have a safe and comfortable learning experience. 

Due to the poor levels of sanitation, many of the schools will not have access to toilets or sanitary products. This means that many girls will stay home and have to miss days of school every month, to cope with their period safely at home, often resulting in them falling behind and failing their classes. Some young women may even have to leave their education as they would not be able to efficiently continue with their studies while doing this every month. Leaving school may lead a girl’s family into further poverty as there would be fewer chances to earn money without an education. 

The World Bank Group has been working to help period poverty in Yemen by constructing sanitation facilities in schools, allowing girls to be able to stay in school and have proper access to toilets and sanitation, therefore reducing the number of girls dropping out.

Period poverty may also lead to severe mental health issues. Mood is heavily affected during a woman’s cycle and some even fall into deep depression as a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Living in poverty may have already taken a toll on a woman’s mental health, but experiencing their period monthly further affects their quality of life.

Cultural Impacts 

Along with the current civil conflict, the role of being a woman further adds to how vulnerable a person is in Yemen. Many countries in the Middle East still carry a stigma concerning periods. These countries, like Yemen, may refrain from seeing periods as a natural process but rather as something unclean or something to be ashamed of. Due to the way many view periods, it is often easy for them to not discuss the topic at all. This means that many girls do not learn about their periods, and how to prepare for the day it arrives. Due to both cultural and religious taboos, women may experience exclusion from activities or segregated from men, meaning that they may not always get the help they would need during this time i.e. the help of a male doctor. This limits their ability to educate themselves on menstruation. 

In Yemen, the responsibility of the household usually falls on the women. Expectations are that they cook, clean, fetch water and take care of the children. Since the beginning of the civil war in 2014, the number of female-led households has risen. This has made it increasingly harder for those living in poverty to cope with these tasks while on their period. Those who have had to leave education due to their period may have to enter into marriages for the financial benefit of their families. 

Sanitary Products and Hygiene

The severity of period poverty in Yemen means that there is minimal access to sanitary products for females living in poverty. The women often will not have a supply of pads and tampons and are not likely to be able to afford them. Some may even stand for a prolonged time just so they do not sit and stain anything with blood. Limited resources mean that many women have to use rags and pieces of cloth that may not always be clean.

The shortage of drinkable water also affects the periods of women. The World Bank declares Yemen as one of the world’s most “water scarce” nations in the world, with more than 18 million people in the country not having access to clean drinking water. The need for clean water is not only for consumption, as it is also necessary for hygiene purposes. Poor hygiene and the use of unclean products can be very harmful leading to irritation, infection or even Toxic Shock Syndrome. 

The French NGO Premiere Urgence Internationale, has been fighting period poverty in Yemen by distributing reusable pads. It began their distributing pads in the north of the country, and as of 2022, were able to hand out this product to those in the southern city of Aden. They have also used this as an opportunity to teach some women how to create reusable pads. This has helped some women gain an insight into menstruation that they may have had before. Making these pads also allows them to educate more young women on their periods and even how to produce their own sanitary pads. 

Looking Ahead

The fight against period poverty in Yemen has only gotten more intense as the country’s conflict continues. Girls and women have struggled thus far for sanitary products, and the future of menstruation in Yemen is still uncertain. However, with the help of organizations like Premiere Urgence Internationale, women in Yemen can at least have more support and education about their periods, allowing their time of the month to be a little more bearable. 

– Fejiro Efih
Photo: Flickr

5 Updates on the Yemen Crisis

Yemen CrisisYemen has been in the grips of one of the worst humanitarian crises since the conflict broke out in early 2015. In the years since, the Yemen crisis has been defined by the displacement of millions of Yemenis as well as an unstable economy which has driven the prices of food, fuel and other vital resources to an unattainable price for the majority of citizens. However, the arrival of a ceasefire in April 2022 provided refuge to the Yemeni people and an opportunity for progress.

The Crisis in Yemen

The Republic of Yemen is located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula with approximately 29 million inhabitants. Yemen has long been the poorest country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with half of the population living in poverty even before the outbreak of conflict. In early 2015, a civil war erupted in the country between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, a political organization originating in the northwestern province of Saada. Since then, the unrelenting fighting has destabilized the economy and destroyed much of the local infrastructure, driving the poverty rate up to as high as 78% of the population. 

This conflict has resulted in mass displacement, food shortages and famine with 16.2 million residents at risk of malnutrition due to food insecurity. Furthermore, because of large-scale displacement and poor sanitation, there have been a series of disease outbreaks over recent years including outbreaks of cholera, measles and diphtheria, all of which have been eradicated across much of the rest of the world. 

In April 2022, the United Nations announced that a two-month cease-fire had been agreed upon by opposing sides. In a progressive move, this truce was renewed a further two times before officially ending in October of the same year. Despite the end of the cease-fire, fighting has not resumed to the same extent as before, providing Yemen and its inhabitants with a period of relative stability and the opportunity to receive foreign aid.

Visible Progress

With the country finding some degree of stability in the wake of the six-month truce in 2022, the people of Yemen have been able to receive aid from international organizations such as UNICEF.

Here are five updates on the progress visible amid the Yemen crisis since the truce period in 2022.

  1. Peace: Several steps have been taken towards establishing peace with both sides participating in peace talks and a significant prisoner trade. Furthermore, in another step towards peace in the region, the Houthis — the internationally recognized government — have participated in peace talks with neighboring Saudi Arabia.
  2. Health: With the input of international organizations such as UNICEF, the truce has allowed for the deployment of health workers to rural areas as well as the dispersal of additional resources to all regions including providing nearly 3,000 health facilities with the necessary personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks.
  3. Education: Similar to health care, UNICEF has invested in the reopening of education facilities by providing cash incentives to close to 35,000 teachers and other school staff. Additionally, UNICEF has been providing further training and support on topics such as nutrition and hygiene to school staff. 
  4. Housing: As the Yemen crisis continues, there is still approximately 14% of the Yemeni population who are displaced. Despite this, international organizations such as UNICEF and the U.N. Refugee Agency are continuing to assist thousands of displaced families across all governorates by providing essential items such as blankets, sleeping mats and mattresses. 
  5. Food and Water: While there is still widespread food insecurity in the country with approximately 18 million Yemeni living without access to safe water sources, progress is being made. For example, 120,000 children were treated for malnutrition by UNICEF in the first quarter of 2023 alone. Furthermore, efforts to rehabilitate water points and provide water tanks to those who are displaced have also continued.

Initially, the Yemen crisis was heavily publicized; however, media coverage and charitable appeals have dwindled by comparison in the years since. Because of this, it is easy to be disillusioned about the current struggles the Yemenis are facing. In spite of this, progress has continued to occur at an accelerated rate in the wake of a temporary ceasefire which scaled back significant proportions of the fighting and has created a fragile state of stability across the country.

– Holly Coop
Photo: Unsplash

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Child Malnutrition in Yemen: Hope Among the Conflict

Child Malnutrition in Yemen
The Middle Eastern nation of Yemen has been plagued by eight years of devastating conflict disproportionately affecting its children. The Yemeni conflict remains one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with more than 11 million children in need of humanitarian assistance. Child malnutrition in Yemen, alongside food insecurity and hunger, has reached alarming levels in the heart of this turmoil. Xavier Joubert, Save the Children’s Country Director for Yemen, underscores the harsh reality facing Yemeni children:

“Hunger in Yemen is an entirely human-made legacy of this war, and the increase in child malnutrition levels around conflict lines shows the impact of this brutal conflict on children.”

Despite the ongoing conflict, hope is emerging from the efforts of numerous organizations. This article sheds light on the dire challenges these children face daily while highlighting the unwavering dedication of organizations working to mitigate their suffering. 

The Impact

Amidst Yemen’s enduring conflict, the crisis affecting its children has reached catastrophic proportions. This nation is grappling with one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises, where more than 11 million children are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Child malnutrition in Yemen has surged to alarming levels, with nearly 2.2 million children under the age of five in Yemen acutely malnourished, and more than 500,000 facing severe malnutrition. 

The repercussions of this crisis on Yemen’s children are profound and enduring. Malnutrition not only jeopardizes their immediate well-being but also their long-term growth and cognitive abilities. The compounding effect of malnutrition and the ongoing conflict leaves so many children without access to essential health care, clean water and adequate sanitation. This is further exacerbated by the scarcity of essential food items and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Yemen’s children are carrying the heaviest burden amid the ongoing conflict, and the repercussions on their health and future are immeasurable.

Working for Change

Amidst the seemingly bleak landscape, various organizations have stepped forward to combat the malnutrition epidemic to alleviate the suffering occurring within this nation. The organization War Child is a prime example of the life-changing work occurring to improve these children’s lives. War Child has been tirelessly working to provide access to healthcare, clean water and nutritional support to children in need. UNICEF is also a notable organization instrumental in providing health care, education and nutrition support to the vulnerable young children in Yemen. Continued is their unwavering efforts to save young lives and build a better and sustainable future. 

Stories of Hope

Despite the immense challenges and continued conflict within Yemen, stories of hope and resilience are emerging. Children who have received critical support from these organizations are on their way to recovery. Their strength and the unwavering commitment of these organizations showcase the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of the harshest circumstances. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has played a crucial role in this effort. WHO has trained almost 400 health workers on managing medical complications in children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. To increase families’ awareness and knowledge of basic nutritional and preventive health requirements for children, as well as to promote the importance of the continuity of breastfeeding, WHO trained 1,277 community health and nutrition volunteers and midwives. These trained individuals communicate key health and nutrition messages to the most affected vulnerable communities in 28 districts. 

In addition to this, WHO has developed awareness messages for TV and radio, ensuring that these important messages reach a wider audience. It has also engaged communities through various platforms, including religious, youth and women’s groups. These comprehensive efforts are making a tangible difference in the lives of Yemen’s children — offering them hope and the prospect of a brighter and healthier future. 

Moving Forward

While child malnutrition in Yemen remains a pressing issue, and the ongoing conflict only exacerbates the situation, the dedicated efforts of organizations working in Yemen provide a glimmer of hope. With continued support and awareness, there exists a possibility for positive change in the lives of Yemen’s children. The world must remain engaged in addressing this crisis, as the future of Yemen’s children depends on it. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to a nation facing immense challenges.

– Phoebe Abrahams
Photo: Flickr

How Remittances to Yemen is Making a Difference

Remittance to YemenEight years of civil war have thrust Yemen into a state of economic and humanitarian emergency. The conflict has left 2.3 million children acutely malnourished, giving the media and nonprofits alike no choice but to report a dismal picture. There is, however, an untold story at play. The story of remittance to Yemen demonstrates that familial solidarity remains steadfast in times of crisis.

In short, remittance to Yemen refers to money transfers sent home by Yemenis who are working overseas, usually from the Gulf states, the U.S. and the U.K. More than 200 million migrants worldwide send remittances home to their families every year.

The World Bank estimates that, as of 2023, 24.1 million people in Yemen were at risk of hunger and disease. A further 14 million required acute assistance. It is these statistics that set the precedent for the importance of remittance for alleviating the country’s humanitarian emergency. Here is an overview of just some of the ways that remittance to Yemen is making a difference. 

Preventing Hunger and Starvation

The World Bank has declared that vast numbers of Yemenis are living on the verge of famine. “My daughter had malnutrition due to our harsh living conditions and lack of income”, Waleed Al-Ahdal told UNICEF. Al-Ahdal’s story is one of many. With countless others surfacing, it is unsurprising that UNICEF has warned that “no place in Yemen is safe for children.”

However, without the security of remittance payments, the situation would be even more grave. Oxfam’s Yemen Country Director, Muhsin Siddiquey, has warned that Yemenis would have to rely on international aid “without the safety net of remittances.” With one in 10 people in Yemen relying solely on money transfers to meet their basic needs, the cruciality of remittance to Yemeni survival becomes clear. 

A Display of Solidarity

As well as combatting starvation, overseas Yemenis supporting their families to fend for themselves shows solidarity. The International Day of Family Remittances falls on June 16 every year and is a universally-recognized observance. This symbolic day celebrates migrant workers’ dedication to the well-being of their loved ones. 

Just 20 years ago, remittances were unaccounted for in international statistics — as were the sacrifices of migrant workers. Acknowledging remittance to Yemen as a powerful tool of poverty prevention is setting the precedence for the international community to follow suit and take humanitarian action. 

Setting the Precedence for Foreign Aid

The necessity for overseas money transfers to meet basic needs has put Yemen’s humanitarian crisis on the international radar. When allied with remittance payments, global action is having a real impact on the ground.

For example, The Yemen Social Fund for Development’s Cash for Nutrition program targets pregnant women and women with children less than 5 years old, teaching them about child nutrition and providing them with money for food. The World Bank estimates that 165,000 pregnant or lactating women and 175,000 children have been reached by the project so far.

An Economic Investment

Gilbert Houngbo, chief of IFAD, has described remittances sent by migrant workers as a “win-win solution”. He explains that remittance payments are positive for the workers’ countries of origin as well as the host countries. Houngbo estimates that 15% of each salary earned by overseas migrants in a host country is sent home in the form of remittance. The significance here is that this leaves an average of 85% of migrant income circulating in the host country, contributing to the national GDP. 

Of course, the humanitarian necessity of remittance is more pressing, but the economic benefits play a key part in encouraging states and service providers to facilitate the money transfers of migrants into and out of their countries. Economically speaking, remittance is a mutually beneficial enterprise. 

More Needs To Be Done

Remittance payments have their drawbacks. They do not target the root causes of extreme poverty in Yemen. Instead, they merely counteract the devastating impact war has had on the population’s basic needs. 

Moreover, the flow of remittance into Yemen is an unstable source of aid. One remittance service provider in Sa’ada saw a reduction in migrant money transfers of 96% between January 2020 and April of the same year. Likely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global crisis exposed the insecurity of remittance with devastating consequences.

“I purchase food on credit from the grocery and have two months overdue rent,” Abu Ameer told Oxfam. Ameer’s plight worsened when his son stopped working due to the lockdown. As a result, Ameer’s son ceased payments to his father from Saudi Arabia. Ameer’s reliance on his son’s income laid bare the fragility of remittance as a method of reducing extreme poverty. 

While remittance to Yemen has evidently not ended the civil war, nor has it eradicated extreme poverty in the country, it remains a symbol of unity and a provider of aid for those most in need.  

– Imogen Townsend
Photo: Flickr

Poverty in Yemen or Potential Investment?

Poverty in Yemen
Yemen has become increasingly war-torn since 2014, and as a result, poverty in Yemen has significantly increased. In 2014, poverty in Yemen was at 45%. The percentage should reach 75 by the end of 2019.

This war-torn region has not yet recovered from political instability. Because of this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that it has lost 21 years of development.

The UNDP published a report, Assessing the Impact of War in Yemen on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, on September 26, 2019, which is the result of five years of research on how war has impacted Yemen’s social and economic structure and how the international community can successfully invest in Yemen.

Poverty in Yemen

The UNDP report found that the instability in Yemen has had disastrous effects on the Yemenese people. It reported that 11.7 million individuals have become impoverished as a result of the war. In addition, 4.9 million are malnourished. Of this number, 600,000 are children under the age of 5. The report also found that the war reduced economic growth in Yemen by $88.8 billion. This resulted in Yemen’s status as the world’s second least equal country in the world in terms of income. Without any change in the status quo, Yemen will become the world’s most impoverished country by 2022.

Yemen is largely reliant on food and imports for economic stability. Because of this, the economy has been unable to recover quickly without international intervention. The public sector employed 30% of the Yemenese population. However, a crash in the availability of assets left those individuals unemployed and unable to contribute to a jumpstart in the economy that would feed, clothe and put money in the hands of the impoverished.

The report concludes that the international response to the extreme poverty, economic crises and inequality in Yemen must be holistic and address both the root of the problem and the result of the issue.

Potential Investment in Yemen

The report examined four criteria: poverty, work and economic growth, hunger and inequality. Increasing international aid and investment can help with all four criteria. The article outlines a method of aid for addressing each area. A combination of efforts would resolve each criterion and address the issue of poverty overall. Increasing household consumption to pre-war levels which reflect “the spirit (though not the magnitude) of current cash-transfer programmes operating in Yemen,” can also combat hunger according to the report. This, combined with the distribution of food that would provide sufficient caloric intake and support Yemenese food exports, would alone prevent 73,600 death by 2030. A focus on improving access to clean water via changes to food prices through sanctions and providing sanitation implementation would save 255,000 lives by 2030.

Direct foreign investment into the Yemenese economy would significantly improve the everyday living conditions of Yemenese citizens. Without increased aid, Yemen will continue to stay on track to becoming the world’s most impoverished country by 2022. Direct aid programs and an increased amount of liquid capital poured into the economy would decrease poverty in Yemen, jumpstart the economy and improve the overall standard of living.

– Denise Sprimont
Photo: Flickr

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7 Facts About Poverty in Yemen

Facts About Poverty in Yemen
Yemen demonstrates extremely poor standards of life expectancy, education and overall living. Yemen’s ongoing political unrest has been a major cause of the country’s poverty. Regardless of the cause, poverty in Yemen is frightening. Here are seven facts about poverty in Yemen.

7 Facts About Poverty in Yemen

  1. Poor Country: Even prior to its political instability, Yemen was already the poorest country in the region spanning the Middle East to North Africa. It exhibits the lowest rank on the Human Development Index (HDI) among Arab states. Yemen also ranks 178 out of 189 countries on the HDI.
  2. Hunger and Malnutrition: The U.N. estimates that approximately 80% of Yemenis are vulnerable to hunger. About 14.3 million are in need of medical assistance to combat malnutrition along with other issues. Starvation, cholera, measles and dengue fever are some of the main culprits. Roughly 2 million children in Yemen are in immediate need of medical help because of acute malnutrition.
  3. Infant Mortality Rate: Poverty in Yemen contributes to its remarkably high infant mortality rate of 55.4 deaths under age 5 per 1,000 births. In comparison, the United States has a healthier infant mortality rate of 5.8 deaths per 1,000 births. Malnutrition contributes in large part to this statistic.
  4. Water: Almost 18 million Yemeni citizens simply have no access to clean water. UNICEF reports that only around 30% of the population uses piped drinking water services. Contaminated water results in many infant deaths. UNICEF does its best to keep this issue to a minimum in Yemen. It maintains the operational water supply systems in Yemen. It also monitors and disinfects the water supply in urban areas and provides WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) humanitarian aid to displaced Yemeni citizens.
  5. Humanitarian Crisis: Consistent waves in currency depreciation continue to chip away at Yemen’s economy. As a result, inflation threatens and terrorizes the economy and its consumers. It also exacerbates this humanitarian crisis. The Yemeni rial, the official currency of Yemen, lost 75% of its value in the past four years. With a GDP of around $27 billion, Yemen must rely on humanitarian aid.
  6. Education: As poverty in Yemen continues to worsen, about 2 million children remain out of school. Unfortunately, this is due to a lack of teachers and schooling facilities. Without an educated population, Yemen will continue its impoverished conditions. Thankfully, UNICEF secured approximately $70 million for cash incentives for teachers in Yemen. In its efforts, UNICEF also provided access to education for more than 200,000 Yemeni children through the reconstruction of 18 schools and 218 school latrines.
  7. The Economy: Such a blow to the economy devastated Yemeni citizens on an individual level as well. The World Bank reports that more than 40% of households lost their main source of income, placing people under the poverty line. The country is struggling to lift its people out of impoverished conditions. However, the World Bank has several large-scale emergency grants dedicated to Yemen during its crisis. These grants will work with health and nutrition as well as electricity and agriculture.

Looking Ahead

Poverty in Yemen stems from a range of unfortunate events, primarily its state of political instability under Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Such instability affects sanitation, infrastructure, economy and medical assistance. These seven facts about poverty in Yemen demonstrate areas of weakness where humanitarian aid can effectively assist. Organizations like UNICEF and the U.N. are already doing their part in the pursuit of aiding and providing for not only Yemen but many countries in similar situations. With UNICEF and the U.N.’s help, Yemen has a better chance of sustaining itself.

– Colin Crawford
Photo: Flickr

Top 10 Facts About Yemen Child Soldiers

Top 10 Facts About Yemen Child Soldiers
Yemen, a relatively small country located south of Saudi Arabia and east of the Red Sea, currently has one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet. Similar to situations is most conflicts, Yemeni children have suffered immensely since the war began in 2014. In particular, Yemen has seen the recruitment of child soldiers as a common practice. Since this is a very serious issue, in the text below top 10 facts about Yemen child soldiers are presented.

Top 10 Facts About Yemen Child Soldiers

  1. The year 2014 witnessed the beginning of the crisis in Yemen when Iranian-backed Houthi rebels took over most of the country’s cities, including the capital Sanaa. In response, Saudi Arabia has led a coalition in support of the government that was led by Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.
  2. Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners have mainly waged a campaign of air strikes and an ongoing land, air and sea blockade. According to the World Health Organisation, as of early 2018, over 8,600 people have died and around 50,000 have been injured. In addition to this fact, Yemen is experiencing one of the worst modern world’s cholera outbreak.
  3. Although both Houthi forces and pro-government forces claim child soldiers are frowned upon on, the number of child soldiers has increased in Yemen over the years. The U.N. reports that an estimated 517 children were recruited in Yemen during 2016. In 2017, however, this number expanded to 842. This includes children as young as 11 years old. In total, an official tally approximates that around 2,369 children have been used in combat since 2015.
  4. Of these confirmed cases, Houthi rebels share the most responsibility for the recruitment of Yemeni children. Out of the 842 recruited child soldiers in 2017, 534 fought under the Houthi rebels. Of course, Houthi rebels are not the only ones who participate in using child soldiers for their cause, since another, pro-government side, recruits child soldiers as well.
  5. Poverty has become a significant factor for child recruitment in Yemen. The USAID reports that 80 percent of Yemenis need humanitarian assistance. Consequently, the recruitment of children becomes an economic exchange. These young boys are voluntarily and involuntarily recruited for the purpose of bringing the money home. With families living in poverty and in war-torn areas, fighting for the rebels or pro-government forces becomes one of the few ways to make a living at such a young age. In fact, Amnesty International stated that Houthi forces would offer to pay $80 to $120 in monthly pensions to the family of a killed child soldier.
  6. The degradation of Yemen’s educational system has also resulted in a major recruitment boom for local forces. As of March 2018, the U.N. estimated that around 2 million school-aged children were out of school and 2,500 schools were left in rubbles. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund has concluded that the risks or children recruitment for war purposes rapidly increase when there is no educational or social security net for them to grow up in. Armed groups are able to distort the perceptions of parents and children into thinking that recruitment is the only path left for the future, in order to gain cheap soldiers.
  7. While Yemen child soldiers are increasingly being recruited in the current crisis, international groups are using foreign aid to stop and eventually reverse this trend. For instance, UNICEF has recently launched a campaign that emphasizes education and advocacy. It is their plan to rebuild Yemen’s educational system and make sure that children at-risk always have schooling as the best option for their future. Moreover, the U.N. has called on all parties of the conflict to return these children to schools and better protect them and their futures.
  8. The U.S. Agency for International Development has initiated numerous projects for keeping children educated and protected. As of 2017, USAID has funded the day-to-day expenses and repairs for over 200 schools, resulting in 70,000 children staying in school and receiving a basic education. Working alongside the Yemen Ministry of Education, 15,000 high-risk children were able to continue their education at home when the security environment proved too dangerous for schools. S.A.I.D. and local governments are continuously developing security and emergency plans for over 100 schools in order to better protect school children across the country.
  9. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) was launched in Yemen’s Marib province with the hope of helping former child soldiers recover from the emotional and phycological scars of combat. As of 2017, 215 children were rehabilitated in addition to 2,000 that are currently undergoing treatment.
  10. The U.N.’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen stated he was “deeply disturbed” by the conflict and the “complete disregard for human life that all parties, including the Saudi-led coalition, continue to show in this absurd war.”

With the deadly conflict still raging in Yemen with no end in sight, it may be easy to lose hope. However, humanitarians at home and abroad are continuing to fight, especially for the children that are being manipulated into seeing their future as soldiers as the only way out. The hope is still alive that the joint effort of local authorities and international organizations will secure that these children go to school, not armories.

– Tanner Helem
Photo: Flickr