UNITED NATIONS, Sep 9 (IPS) – Yemen is currently in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a host of environmental problems. Years of armed conflict, constant windstorms, flooding, mass displacement, cholera outbreaks and acute food insecurity have all created a dire predicament for millions of Yemenis. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) currently estimates that around 70 percent of the Yemeni population is dependent on humanitarian aid to survive.
Hostilities in Yemen date back to 2014, with the outbreak of the Yemeni Civil War. According to United Nations (UN) reports, the war has resulted in more than 259,000 deaths in 2021, of which approximately 70 percent were children under the age of five. The number of casualties is expected to be much higher in 2024.
Although the UN successfully negotiated a ceasefire between warring parties in Yemen in April 2022, armed conflict and human rights violations have not stopped. Attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure remain frequent and indiscriminate.
“During the nine-year conflict in Yemen, parties to the conflict have committed widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, resulting in extensive civilian harm. The conflict has included unlawful attacksincluding probably war crimesaimed at homes, hospitals, schools and marketssome of which were carried out on purpose And without distinction“, said Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The civil war has exacerbated Yemen’s longstanding problems with food and water insecurity. Over the course of the decade-long conflict, countless communities have been disrupted and displaced, with their food systems rendered almost completely inaccessible. According to Global Rights Compliance (GRC), warring parties have targeted farms, fishing ports and irrigation systems, making food and water a scarce resource for millions of struggling Yemenis.
In 2022, the UN reported that more than half of the population lacked access to food and clean water. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimated in 2024 that around 17 million Yemenis faced acute food insecurity.
These problems were exacerbated in 2023 when a blockade imposed by the Houthis severely restricted the flow of foreign currency, devastating Yemen’s economy. This led to a sharp increase in food costs, leaving most Yemenis in a state of vulnerability.
In addition, the war has created one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with more than 4.5 million Yemenis internally displaced multiple times, according to the UN refugee agency.
As the war rages on, the cholera outbreak is worsening. The destruction of irrigation systems in Yemen has taken a heavy toll on hygiene. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the number of suspected cases could reach 255,000 by September 2024.
These conditions have been exacerbated by a series of violent windstorms and flooding. According to IOM, the capital Sana’a has been hit by strong winds since August 11, causing significant damage to 73 displaced people and 21,000 households. Public services, such as electricity, have been compromised, severely limiting access to medical assistance and humanitarian aid.
In addition, torrential rains and flooding have led to the destruction of several critical infrastructures, including roads, shelters and medical facilities. IOM highlights these dire circumstances, saying: “These rains have not only resulted in tragic loss of life, but have also wiped out the assets and means of survival of entire communities.”
IOM is currently providing life-saving assistance to affected communities in Yemen, including camp management, medical care and hygiene supplies. The organization has launched a $13.3 million appeal to fund these initiatives, with only a fraction of the funds required being raised. It is crucial that donors step up as this crisis worsens daily.
IPS UN Office Report
Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Follow IPS News UN Bureau on Instagram
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service