Update on Yemen's humanitarian crisis and how you can help

Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis

18 May 2015

Yemen remains the poorest country in the Arab World, and the recent political crisis and security conflict has led to a dire humanitarian situation.

7.5 million people have been affected by the most recent conflict in Yemen.
15.9 million people in need of humanitarian assistance prior to the current crisis, including 7.9 million children
545,719 people have been displaced in Yemen between 26 March and 7 May
1,820 people have been killed and 7,330 injured due to the conflict
54.4% of Yemenis are living in poverty
The European Commission of Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection estimates that up to 47% live on less than 2 Euro per day.
84,000 acutely malnourished children
1.84 million children out of school
1.6 million suffering acute malnutrition
8 million lack adequate healthcare
13 million do not have access to clean water and/or sanitation
10 million Yemenis are now in need of food-aid
92,000 newly arriving migrants in Yemen from Jan.-Dec. 2014
UNOCHA estimates that there are 215,000 returnees in Yemen

General Trends in 2015:

The conflict in Syria has led to an influx of Syrian refugees in Yemen; most Syrians in Yemen remain unregistered, with only 2,000 having approached UNCHA as of mid-2014
Women, children, and those living in rural areas are worst affected by Yemen’s pervasive poverty.
Yemen has low life expectancy (64 years), child malnutrition, maternal death risk and infant death rate. According to UNICEF, these are some of the lowest figures in the world.
There are severe shortages medicines for noncommunicable diseases. Shortages in health staff are also being reported in areas where violence is ongoing.
Shortages in safe water are becoming more acute in most governorates.
Yemenis directly affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa; more than 257,000 refugees, the majority from Somalia, are stuck in Yemen. Yemen also hosts many migrants from Ethiopia. This adds to an increased strain on resources.
Kharaz Refugee Camp: Yemen’s largest refugee camp from which many Somali refugees are based. Kharaz Camp is located in the desert of southern Yemen.
The deteriorating security situation, and the launch of a military campaign by Saudi Arabia in April 2015, has worsened the humanitarian strain in Yemen and prevented vital humanitarian aid from reaching Yemen.
Air and sea blockade is restricting the import of fuel, water, food aid and humanitarian workers.
Due to the increased violence, most aid organisations have relocated their staff to outside the country.

How can you help?

Oxfam GB has an emergency relief fund for Yemen. Oxfam has the following appeal (Yemen Crisis Appeal): http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do/emergency-response/yemen-crisis

British Red Cross has the following targeted appeal on Yemen providing food aid, water and medical supplies. YemenCrisis Appeal: http://www.redcross.org.uk/yemencrisis?utm_medium=Banner&utm_source=Herobox&utm_campaign=YemenCrisis070415

CARE International: CARE focuses on reconstruction and relief in Yemen. CARE also works on women’s issues. Here is their appeal: http://www.careinternational.org.uk/countries/yemen

Islamic Relief UK has the following appeal:http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/current-appeals/yemen-emergency-appeal. Islamic Relief UK focuses on health and nutrition issues in Yemen; the charity also has a food distribution programme.

UNICEF UK has recently established a charity appeal for Yemen: http://www.unicef.org.uk/landing-pages/Yemen-crisis-appeal/. UNICEF UK provides food aid, water, medical supplies and vaccinations.

Sources: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e486ba6.html),