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A NATION Ravaged by war and neglected by the world
Eimaan Shahid
Yemen was once a global spectacle brimming with Arabian food and culture. Historic landmarks, the gorgeous Sarawat mountain range, and ancient architecture made Yemen a special place for inhabitants and travellers alike. Yemen was never the wealthiest country, but its economy was sustainable enough to provide healthcare and resources for its population of 23 million people.
All of this changed in 2014 when civil war erupted across the nation. The cause of war dates back to 2011, as a result of a rough political transition from Ali Abdullah Saleh to Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. As a new president, Hadi struggled to tackle economic and social issues which created a growing hatred between Hadi and Yemeni citizens. The Houthis, a Shia rebellion group, started an uprising, demanding lower fuel prices and a more sufficient government. These tensions grew over the next few years and peaked when the Houthis took control of the capital of Yemen, Sana’a, in January of 2015. Ever since this overtaking, the conflict between the Houthi rebels and Hadi-led government has persisted and more political superpowers have gotten involved. With Iran backing the Houthis and Saudi Arabia supporting the Yemeni government, the war in Yemen has escalated to the point of no return.
“When the rich wage war, it’s the poor who die.” - Jean-Paul Sartre
Superpower nations that have gotten involved in the conflict have nothing to sacrifice. Global leaders are sitting comfortably in their homeland, while having the power to make decisions that destroy lives, rip apart families, and displace millions. These nations are simply feeding the fire, acting as bystanders to the biggest humanitarian crisis as they fulfill their own personal interests. There is no question that international involvement has worsened the war as a result of funding of military weapons, and negligence towards fighting for a ceasefire. As a result of the civil war, Yemen, once that global spectacle of tourism and culture, has now become a nation deprived of every basic necessity to survive. Due to limited food resources, over 20 million Yemenis do not have a sufficient diet. This malnutrition has led to a surge in other health complications for children and adults across the nation.
Prior to COVID-19, the healthcare system in Yemen was already on the brink of collapse. With very few resources, treating any kind of disease in Yemen, no matter the severity, has always been a challenge. Every 10 minutes, a child in Yemen dies from a preventable disease. The UN even went as far as to say growing up in Yemen is “a living hell for every child”. We can only imagine the severity of the healthcare situation with the coronavirus now apart of the picture. With limited access to sanitary systems, hygiene products, and no access to hospitals, coronavirus cases in Yemen are surging, and patients are struggling to find treatment. The entire nation of 28.5 million people only has 500 ventilators, and 700 beds in the ICU collectively. With no access to basic resources like masks, sanitizers, and gloves, providing quality care to patients is out of the question. The reality of the coronavirus situation in Yemen is still uncertain as testing accessibility is also very low, with only about 31 tests per million people. To put the dire situation into perspective, if Yemen’s population was 100 people, 80 need aid to simply survive, 60 have barely anything to eat, 58 have no access to pure water, 52 have no access to healthcare, and 11 are emaciated. However, Yemen is not just 100 people, it is 28.5 million people, 12 million of those being children. The current state of Yemen is setting up a dangerous cycle of poverty, malnutrition, and zero opportunities that can have impacts for generations to come.
So how do we break this cycle of endless war, socio-economic debt, and a hopeless future for Yemeni children? We all might feel powerless. Although we have no influence over the minds of governmental leaders, and we cannot raise enough money to save every single person in Yemen, we must focus on what we can do; set realistic goals and make a consistent effort to help those living in poverty. The most helpful thing we can do to help those directly in Yemen is to donate to organizations that are on the ground, actively providing resources and support to Yemeni communities. Every dollar makes a difference in helping a family in Yemen, so do not be hesitant to give, regardless of the amount. Maybe you’re a student and cannot afford to directly donate to Yemen. Charity comes in many forms, so instead of donating money, you can spread awareness about what is going on in Yemen. Educate your family and friends so they can donate to the cause. Email your respective state/province government officials and make them aware that Yemen needs help, and they have the ability to provide them with resources to do so. At the end of the day, Yemen is in dire need of our help, and all of us have the resources to make even the slightest change to someone's life. So why not donate, spread awareness, and do our part to help those that need it the most.
“As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”
-Nelson Mandela
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Bibliography:
The United Nations in Yemen. (n.d.). Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://yemen.un.org/en/about/about-the-un
Yemen crisis. (2020, July 22). Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/yemen-crisis
Yemen crisis: Why is there a war? (2020, June 19). Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423
Yemen's misery now includes hundreds of COVID-19 deaths, according to health officials | CBC News. (2020, May 18). Retrieved July 28, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/yemen-coronavirus-cases-1.5574248