Struggling to Survive, Abandoned by the World: Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis
Stephanie Dandelé, Online Staff Writer
August 11, 2020
Amidst COVID-19, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has only been exacerbated by the global pandemic, has been largely neglected by the world. Faced with combating a civil war that has caused displacement and severe food insecurity, a cholera epidemic, and now COVID-19, Yemen has been left stranded without the necessary and vital resources required to aid its citizens.
The ongoing civil war in Yemen began in 2011 between the government and rebel forces known as the Houthis and has yet to reach a peaceful resolution. Despite the UN Secretary General calling for a ceasefire so that efforts can be diverted towards combating COVID-19, the conflict still endures. The war has caused many Yemeni citizens to flee their homes due to the imminent threat of violence currently occurring largely in the Taizz, Al Hudaydah, Marib, and Al Dhale’e governorates which has resulted in a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) within the country. The strain on IDPs has only been amplified with COVID-19 as it has increased the risk of contracting an illness. As they reside in the close quarters of IDP camps and have little to no sanitation services, IDPs will struggle to practice preventative measures such as physical distancing that the majority of wealthy countries have been able to implement in their efforts to combat the disease. Furthermore, a severe water shortage in the country has made it extremely difficult for citizens to practice basic hygiene let alone engage in frequent hand washing, which is a crucial way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On top of the global pandemic, there is also a severe cholera epidemic within the country which has been recorded as the worst outbreak of its kind in the world. Additionally, food insecurity is common and has caused severe malnutrition in many citizens, especially children who will be subject to the developmental issues caused by starvation and malnutrition for the duration of their lives.
Each issue alone would put a strain on the country and its resources, yet in conjunction the effects are amplified and pose an insurmountable problem for Yemen to combat alone. In order to have a chance at survival it is crucial that Yemen receives aid from the international community in hopes that it can provide support for its citizens and compensate for the failing health system within a country already struggling with the effects of war. If the United Nations does not receive financial aid from the international community more than 30 of the 41 UN programmes currently in place will disappear and drastically impact the well-being and vitality of Yemeni citizens.
At this point in time providing aid can no longer be in any way a political matter when the fate of Yemen is up in the air. Due to Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, political ties that are highlighted by the conflict, such as Saudi Arabia’s support of Yemen’s government forces or Iran’s support of the Houthis in efforts to strengthen its ties to Yemen, must be put aside. As a result of political factors, potential donor countries have become cautious in providing aid out of concerns that are more focussed on the larger global contexts of their actions and how they suit their interests as opposed to the suffering of Yemeni citizens. Countries such as the United States have significantly cut their aid to Yemen, claiming that portions of it were being obstructed by Houthi forces. However, this cannot be a sufficient excuse when it leaves thousands vulnerable and others with the same concerns, such as the United Kingdom, have continued to provide aid. The crisis at hand is much more important than the politics of the civil war, and if aid is not provided, the roughly 28.5 million men, women, and children of Yemen will be left to suffer alone without support. As the UN Humanitarian Relief Chief stated, the choice is either “supporting the humanitarian response in Yemen and help to create the space for a sustainable political situation, or watch Yemen fall off the cliff.”
In a time where the focus of countries has been drawn inwards to protect and secure one’s own citizens against COVID-19 it is vital that we do not forget and neglect those who reside outside our borders and are in desperate need of humanitarian aid and assistance from the global community.