Marwa Saddam, 8 months old. She suffers from malnutrition, Being examined and treated by Dr. Kamla Ali in the health center. RUTF supplies distribution in Aden and Mukalla Project, implemented by UNICEF, supported by USAID, Al-maidan Health Center, Aden. Credit: UNICEF Photo/Saleh Hayyan
By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 9 2024 – Yemen is currently in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis that has been exacerbated by a litany of environmental issues. Years of armed conflict, constant windstorms, flooding, mass displacement, cholera outbreaks, and acute food insecurity have all compounded into a severe issue for millions of Yemeni people. Currently, it is estimated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that approximately 70 percent of Yemen’s population depends on humanitarian aid to survive.
Hostilities in Yemen date back to 2014, with the emergence of the Yemeni Civil War. According to United Nations (UN) reports, the war has amounted to over 259,000 deaths as of 2021, with approximately 70 percent being children under five years old. The number of casualties is estimated to be much higher as of 2024.
Although the UN successfully negotiated a truce in April 2022 between warring parties in Yemen, armed conflict and human rights violations have not ceased. Attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure remain common and indiscriminate.
“Throughout the nine-year conflict in Yemen, parties to the conflict have perpetrated widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, causing extensive civilian harm. The conflict has included unlawful attacks, including likely war crimes, targeting homes, hospitals, schools, and markets, a number of which were carried out deliberately and indiscriminately”, stated Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The civil war has exacerbated Yemen’s long standing issues with food and water insecurity. Over the course of this ten year conflict, countless communities have been disrupted and displaced, with their food systems becoming almost entirely inaccessible. According to the Global Rights Compliance (GRC), warring parties have targeted farms, fishing ports, and irrigation systems, making food and water a scarcity for millions of struggling Yemenis.
In 2022, the UN had reported that over half of the population lacks access to food and clean water. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimated in 2024 that approximately 17 million Yemeni people are facing acute food insecurity.
These issues were exacerbated in 2023 when a Houthi-imposed blockade significantly limited the flow of foreign currency, devastating Yemen’s economy. This led to a sharp rise in food costs, leaving most Yemenis in a state of vulnerability.
Additionally, the war has caused one of the biggest worldwide displacement crises. According to the UN Refugee Agency, over 4.5 million Yemenis have been internally displaced multiple times.
As the war rages on, the cholera outbreak continues to worsen. The destruction of irrigation systems in Yemen has taken a severe toll on hygiene. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that by September 2024, suspected cases could reach 255,000.
These conditions have been aggravated by a series of violent windstorms and floods. According to IOM, the capital city, Sana’a, has been hit by strong winds since August 11, causing significant damage to 73 displacement sites and 21,000 households. Public services, such as electricity, have been compromised, greatly limiting access to medical assistance and humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, torrential rain and flooding has led to the destruction of several critical infrastructures, including roads, shelters, and medical facilities. IOM emphasizes these dire conditions, saying, “These rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings and means of survival’.
IOM is currently in the process of providing life-saving aid to affected communities in Yemen, including camp management, medical assistance, and hygiene resources. The organization has launched a 13.3 million dollar appeal to fund these initiatives, with only a fraction of the required funds met. It is imperative for donors to contribute as this crisis continues to worsen daily.
IPS UN Bureau Report
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