What is the Yemen Crisis?

Credit: CTV

According to the United Nations, 24 Million people in Yemen are facing one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The Yemeni people have been suffering for decades due to a long-lasting civil war, which has hindered access to basic human needs such as food, water and healthcare. As millions die daily, there seems to be a lack of coverage in widespread media.

The History

The roots of the war started with the Arab Spring in 2010 - which created a movement that involved pro-democracy protests that wanted to force the President at the time, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to end his 33 year presidency. Moreover, as the protests continued, many protestors started dying in the capital Sana’a at the hands of the military, where Ali Abdullah unleashed a harsh crackdown on protestors.

By 2015, the Houthis (an extremist group who rose to power with the civil war between Saleh and the protestors), were determined to create a caliphate within Yemen. By toppling the government, they were able to gain more power and eventually overthrow the new President - Abd Rabbu Monsour Hadi. However, the issue has only escalated since the US has backed the Saudi-led coalition - a coalition of states who have taken strong military action against the Houthi rebels.

As tensions rise, civilians in Yemen are dying and being ravaged due to the war - which has led to a sharp increase in poverty. According to UNICEF, as the economic crisis within Yemen worsens, the cost for food, water and fuel have increased nearly tenfold. Moreover, the lack of water and sewage systems compromises the citizens’ access to clean water and sanitation. 

The Opinions

As the war increases, state actors such as the USA have helped in worsening the crisis in Yemen. According to an article by VOX published in 2019, an intelligence report collected by federal bodies such as CIA, FBI has stated that the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis have prevented attempts at reaching a peace deal. Additionally, a Pentagon spokesperson, Rebecca Rebarich said that ““an enduring solution will only come through a comprehensive political agreement, which will require compromise from all sides.” 

Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies, the death count in Yemen is slowly increasing. According to a TIMES article in 2020, an aid agency Doctors Without Borders had taken over the management of COVID-19 treatment center at a hospital in the city of Aden. Due to years of war and lack of a proper healthcare system, the facility was in dire need of PPE and oxygen which led to an increase in deaths. Moreover, according to Schakal from Doctors Without Borders, they believe that hospitals in Aden “have closed because they’re worried about contamination, or because of lack of essential supplies that could protect the health of workers,” which then leads to less people having access to health facilities, hence, increasing deaths. 

As the Yemenis face the pandemic during a civil war, they refuse social distancing and are suspicious over the information being published by the government. According to an article by TIME a pharmacist in the trauma unit, Mohammed Abdulrahim said, “Either people stay at home, where the electricity cuts out and they die because they’re starving, or they die because of corona, both ways, they are dead. So, they stop thinking and they just continue their life.”

The Conclusion

The Yemen Civil War and humanitarian crisis has continuously led to millions of citizens to suffer. It is vital to gain more awareness on the issue as people are dying everyday due to preventable issues, and the lack of global cooperation has produced a catastrophic result. It is our duty to protect each other and ensure that supporting Yemen will not just be a trend on instagram.