9 FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN YEMEN

9 FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN YEMEN

A brutal conflict is devastating Yemen, where two thirds of the population now need humanitarian assistance or protection in order to survive. The situation is deteriorating so quickly, it could reach a point of no return this year.

The humanitarian community requested US$2.1 billion for 2017 to meet Yemen’s most urgent needs. But by mid-April, barely 15 per cent of this appeal had been funded.

1. YEMEN IS NOW THE WORLD’S LARGEST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

Due to the escalation of conflict in 2015, an estimated 18.8 million people in Yemen need some form of humanitarian assistance or protection.

2. THE CRISIS IS ENTIRELY MAN-MADE

The conflict is taking an enormous toll on Yemen’s civilian population. More than 7,000 people have been killed and more than 42,000 have been injured since the violence escalated just over two years ago. Air strikes and localized fighting have destroyed the economy and moved an already weak and impoverished country towards social, economic and institutional collapse.

3. YEMEN IS ON THE BRINK OF FAMINE

Yemenis are facing the world’s largest food security crisis. Some 7 million people do not know where their next meal will come from, and one in every two children is stunted.

4. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES

An estimated 2 million people in Yemen are internally displaced due to the crisis. Many have taken refuge in schools or informal settlements, with limited access to essential services.

5. THE CONFLICT HAS SEVERELY DISRUPTED THE IMPORTATION OF ESSENTIAL GOODS INTO YEMEN.

Yemen relies on imports for 80 to 90 per cent of its food, fuel and medicine. Al Hudaydah Port—the country’s main port and a lifeline for 60 per cent of food insecure people—is operating at partial capacity.

6. THE HEALTH SYSTEM IS ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE

Stocks of medical supplies are dangerously low in Yemen, and many doctors and nurses are working for free or receiving substantially reduced wages. Humanitarians estimate that every 10 minutes, a child under age 5 dies of preventable causes.

7. CLEAN WATER IS NOW A SCARCE COMMODITY

More than 8 million people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Yemen. The population is now at risk of disease outbreaks, such as cholera, dengue and scabies.

8. WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THE CRISIS.

The crisis is taking a heavy toll on women and girls. They face frightening prospects, including abuse, exploitation and forced marriage. Gender-based violence was prevalent before the crisis, but UNFPA estimates that rates have increased by more than 63 per cent since 2015, meaning that some 2.6 million women and girls are now at risk.

9. THE HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY IS READY TO RESPOND, BUT IT URGENTLY NEEDS FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ACCESS.

Today, some 120 organizations—including 80 national organizations—are working tirelessly to respond to the crisis. So far this year, the humanitarian community has reached millions of people with life-saving assistance. But without access to affected people and adequate funding, millions of lives will continue to hang in the balance.