Imagine being in a place where a minor disease has the potential to be deadly. About 17.8 million individuals in Yemen—nearly half of the population—are in this terrifying situation. The healthcare system has been severely harmed by the protracted war. This means that for most Yemenis, accessing even basic medical care is extremely difficult.
What’s Happening in Yemen?
The southernmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula is home to Yemen, a country with a rich past but a terrible present. Yemenis, who had been under President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s leadership for more than 30 years, joined the Arab Spring demonstrations in 2011 and demanded democratic reforms. A coalition commanded by Saudi Arabia and supporting the exiled government intervened after the Houthis took over Sana’a in 2014. Millions of people have been displaced by the civil war, and they are hungry and without access to healthcare, creating a humanitarian disaster. The situation is still grave and peace negotiations have broken down.
How Severe is The Crisis?
A serious scarcity of healthcare workers arises from the destruction of hospitals, clinics, and other critical infrastructure.
There are not enough physicians and nurses to care for the ill and injured as a large number of them have left the field due to violence or lack of payment.
Of course sick people have to be cared for but in a case where violence never stops and hope is far from the future, you wouldn’t blame healthcare workers for fleeing and looking for greener pastures.
However, the issue isn’t limited to the scarcity of healthcare professionals. Water and sanitation are two other essentials that have been ruined by the conflict. Diseases can spread quickly in an unsanitary environment, worsening the already dire health conditions of Yemen’s citizens.
Aside from health issues, the country’s economy is also in disarray. People cannot afford basic necessities such as food and medicine. Yemen relies heavily on imported food (such as wheat for staple dishes like khobz) and fuel, both of which are mainly exported by Ukraine and Russia. With rising prices, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people, particularly young children and pregnant or nursing women, to feed. They get weaker as a result, increasing their chances of disease and death.
Yemenis Life On Hold
Yemen’s crisis has had a significant impact on people’s lives, putting everything on stand by. With limited access to healthcare, many Yemenis wait until their situation worsens before seeking help. Some people attempt to treat themselves, which can be unsafe. This lack of competent treatment, combined with starvation and illness epidemics, has unfortunately resulted in more deaths.
Beyond the physical toll, the battle has also had a significant emotional impact. Constant terror, being forced to leave home, and losing loved ones have left millions of people suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. However, there are very few mental health resources accessible to assist Yemenis cope with these issues, leaving many people feeling isolated in their pain. Every day, they face a painful predicament.
What Is Being Done?
Even though things appear to be really awful, there is still hope. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are working extremely hard to assist. They distribute essential medical supplies, assist healthcare professionals, and attempt to prevent disease outbreaks. These organizations are like lifelines to millions of Yemenis.
Call To Action
However, in order to make a significant effect, every nation needs to take action. It’s no longer a one-country war. Different countries can demonstrate their support by providing money, food, medication, and clean water to locals. The monetary part can be handled through a GoFundMe account founded by Yemenis. They can also send physicians and nurses to assist with treating the ill and injured.
Above all, we require a cease-fire. In essence, a ceasefire is the result of the warring parties in Yemen getting together, having talks, and deciding to end hostilities. Foreign nations or organizations should assist them in communicating and resolving issues.
Watch Yemen Documentary Here:
Watch The Results of Malnutrition in Yemen:
I like the idea of other countries providing money for the Yemenis. That way they’d be able to buy some basic supplies.
That one-country war is ended. Giving the locals cash, food, medicine, and other very vital basic amenities would help the situation. Also the United states (UN) should take immediate action concerning the situation
Justice for Yemen
This is a call to action to all international health organizations as well as developed countries for all hands to be on deck by supporting in various ways towards basic amenities because safety of a country is safety for all.
I really commend the world health organisation for their assistance to the people of yemen
I think they could also concentrate on tourism since they are also known for their old architectural buildings This could help to improve the economy
The World Health Organization and UNICEF are really doing a great job, making a dire situation bearable for the citizens of Yemen.
I’m low-key terrified with thought of a similar crisis happening in Nigeria. A lot of people would die for real. My heart goes out to the Yemenis and I hope help comes real soon.
I really hope other countries would cooperate with the idea of providing money and other resources for the welfare of the Yemenis.
Damn! It’s crazy what the Yemenis have to go through. I get hungry like 5 times in a day. I can’t imagine not having food to eat at all. My heart goes out to them.
Thank you Christabel, your observations and call for action is top notch.
Everyone should join hands to rescue this dire situation in Yemen
This is so sad and the fact that most people not there are oblivious to what’s happening
Really sad
This is worth looking into, the WHO, UNICEF and GOFUNDS should please look into these ideas.
This just shows how much damages war can do to a nation, and not everyone recover from the damages of war.i hope the Yemenis can get enough education and awareness on how to manage their personal hygiene and environment so as to be able to reduce their Crisis. Its really sad that thriving nations with rich economies only aim for more wealth and power rather than render more help to other crises stricken countries.sending my prayers to the Yemenis????????
True. When countries join forces, they can truly make a difference in the lives of millions facing immense hardship. It’s a powerful reminder that, despite differences, collective action can bring hope and relief to those in desperate need.
First of Yemen is a weird name for a country, sounds like u are saying yea men… Anyway, its tragedy what is going on..
But u said the country has a rich past, I would have liked to know what it was.
It’s really absurd that this war has lasted this long and if other countries do not intervene the situation at Yemen may just get worse in the coming years despite the aid they may be receiving from WHO and UNICEF.
Since 2014, I wonder how they’ve been surviving. International support will be crucial for them at this point but it seems like a political war between two opposite parties. I really hope it gets resolved so more lives can be saved
I hope so too , because what the people of Yemen is going through is not fair and it’s uncalled for
I love the fact that you touch really relevant topics and you help bring out to the world. People need to understand the damages that war brings.
It’s crazy how most of the other nations involved in the Arab uprising have been relatively peaceful, when compared to Yemen, but theirs was one of the more peaceful ones at the start.
The emotional trauma the majority of Yemen’s citizens would be facing right now would be insane. It’s really a nightmare there.
One thing I know is how Yemen have a lot of wheat made foods. Like you said the country import wheat from Ukraine and Russia. The increased prices in food would be impossible for the masses to even purchase the smallest of wheat products. Thinking about it is just crazy.
A political agreement leading to sustainable peace can help the Yemen crisis .
One of the worst humanitarian crises in the world is yemen, and it is tragic that so many innocent people are caught up in it. Such a sobering fact of life.
I think the government ( a government of more than 30 years hmmmm) in Yemen should rise to the task, seek for help from other countries. The United States should look into what is going on. International health organisations should visit Yemen and see what can be done
Yemen is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement, with millions internally displaced, including a significant number of children. The impact on children is particularly severe, with thousands dying from starvation and diseases due to limited access to healthcare and basic necessities. Women and girls are also disproportionately affected, experiencing setbacks in gender equality and education. The situation escalated when Houthi rebels took control of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014, leading to a deepening divide within the country.
From my view As a political scientist,Addressing the crisis in Yemen requires a comprehensive approach that involves diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid initiatives, and long-term stability measures. some measures like , Diplomatic Engagement, Humanitarian support and Conflict resolution
By combining diplomatic engagement with robust humanitarian support and sustainable conflict resolution strategies, there is hope for alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people and working towards lasting peace in the region.
The people of Yemen needs help and it would be nice of the WHO and other organizations to look into the problem they are facing .
More lives can be saved
This was such an informative read and I hope the people of Yemenis get all the help they need
Yemen*
May God help us ????
This is honestly so sad and educative. There’s a lot going on that we don’t even know, I really hope that’s there’s a way for a cease-fire to happen so this tragedy just stops. This is sad fr