Yemen 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