Unveiling the Yemen Humanitarian Crisis

Published on 16 December 2023 at 21:18

Estimated Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Image by Kellie Ryan[i]

Understanding the Yemen Humanitarian Crisis[ii]

Yemen is at the epicenter of one of the world's more devastating humanitarian crises, largely due to an ongoing cycle of conflict, economic collapse, natural disasters, and the compounding impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, an astounding 21.6 million people, 80 percent of the population, need humanitarian assistance. The country struggles with providing basic services and sustenance, with 1.5 million pregnant and breastfeeding women facing very serious malnutrition risks, lacking access to vital sexual and reproductive health services. The perpetuation of violence against women and girls, aggravated by displacement and disability, has resulted to an alarming rise in child marriage, human trafficking, and child labor. Against this grim backdrop, the UNFPA is urgently appealing for $70 million in 2023 to provide essential reproductive health services, protection, and emergency assistance to 3.9 million people.

Impact on Women and Girls[iii] [iv] [v]

  • Violence

    Before the war, violence against girls and women was widely spread. The war, unprecedently intensified the violence against women, with assaults and abuse surging by 63 percent, leaving adolescent girls and unmarried or divorced women particularly vulnerable. Society accepts men as being the “protective layer” of families, thus, women without such protection are exposed to physical violence.
  • Health

    Economic collapse, destruction of health services, and increased domestic violence have created an alarming situation for pregnant women. Malnutrition has reached staggering levels, with two million children under five and 1.1 million pregnant women and new mothers acutely malnourished. Hospitals, facilities, and equipment have been destroyed, and health workers remain unpaid and limited. This precautious state has dire consequences, with a woman losing her life every two hours during pregnancy and childbirth, largely due to preventable causes was there medical assistance. The humanitarian response, already strained, faces further challenges, as funding cuts in 2022 resulted in a reduction of health facilities providing critical obstetric and newborn care.
  • Education

    Access to education has been significantly restricted, with more than 4.7 million children struggling to attend school as facilities are destroyed and families can’t support their education. Many children are being forced by their parents to drop out and seek employment to support the needs of the household. Education is also strained by child marriage, as young girls are dropping out to tend to the needs of their husbands.
  • Marriage

    Forced and early marriage of girls has tripled, with nearly one in five households headed by women under the age of 18.
  • Women leading Change and Progress

    Prior to the war, women had become active in the political scene securing their recognition as equal citizens and independent individuals. Women have been crucial in initiating peace within their communities and inspiring action for the mitigation of the damages. However, they are underrepresented in peace talks such as these held in Sweden in 2022 that resulted in a ceasefire agreement for the vital port city of Hodeidah. Women should be recognized as vital stakeholders in this crisis and should be considered and included in resolution efforts.

How to Help

  1. Donate to Humanitarian Organizations

Contribute funds to reliable organizations working for the resolution of the Yemen Crisis such as UNICEF, UNIFPA and the Muslim Charity.

  1. Raise Awareness and Initiate Conversation

Share information about the Yemen Crisis on social media to urge friends and followers to help provide humanitarian assistance to women and girls in need.

  1. Engage in Fundraising

Organize, participate, or support fundraising events to collect donations for humanitarian organizations working in the region.

Relevant links:

Further Explore the Yemen Crisis

The Yemen Humanitarian Crisis from the perspective of children

[i] “4 Ways the War in Yemen Has Impacted Women and Girls.” The IRC, 25 Mar. 2019, www.rescue.org/article/4-ways-war-yemen-has-impacted-women-and-girls

[ii] “Yemen: A Crisis for Women and Girls.” United Nations Population Fund, 2023, www.unfpa.org/yemen-crisis-women-and-girls.

[iii] “4 Ways the War in Yemen Has Impacted Women and Girls.” The IRC, 25 Mar. 2019, www.rescue.org/article/4-ways-war-yemen-has-impacted-women-and-girls.

[iv] “Yemen: A Crisis for Women and Girls.” United Nations Population Fund, 2023, www.unfpa.org/yemen-crisis-women-and-girls.

[v] “The Crisis in Yemen a Crisis for Women and Girls - Yemen.” ReliefWeb, 31 Mar. 2023, reliefweb.int/report/yemen/crisis-yemen-crisis-women-and-girls.


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