Yemen's dire decade: Half the population in need of aid

The civil war in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014. The conflict erupted between Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The hostilities have led to massive infrastructure destruction, blockades, and challenges in delivering humanitarian aid.

Yemen struggled with poverty even before the armed conflict began. Residents faced a lack of access to clean water and food and an inadequate healthcare system. The conflict has exacerbated these problems, leading to famine and the spread of numerous diseases, as well as the displacement of millions of people.

Currently, it is estimated that about 18.2 million Yemenis need humanitarian aid. This constitutes about 50% of Yemen’s entire population. Regarding GDP per capita globally, Yemen ranks seventh from the bottom, falling behind countries such as Somalia.

We discuss the current situation in Yemen with Afnan Al-Shawea, a worker who coordinates activities in camps around the town of Ma'rib.

Why do 50% of Yemenis need humanitarian aid today?

Afnan Al-Shawea: They have no other alternative. The lack of jobs, employment opportunities, and low wages means that humanitarian aid is the only source of survival for many families. In recent months, food projects like those run by the World Food Program (WFP) were temporarily suspended, highlighting how dependent Yemenis are on this aid.

Many people were unable to find even bread to eat, showing how critical the situation is. Humanitarian aid is often the only source of food for millions of people who have no other means of livelihood.

Are there any job opportunities?

It's worth noting that the labour market situation in Yemen was very difficult even before the war. Many people already faced challenges in finding employment or professional development opportunities. Unfortunately, the war has dramatically worsened this situation.

The war has affected virtually every sector of the economy. It's difficult today to pinpoint a sector that offers more job opportunities than others. Essentially, no industry has been untouched by the ongoing conflict.

How are Yemenis coping with this?

They attempt to find alternative sources of income. Many set up small, private businesses, such as selling fruits and vegetables at markets or running small shops. Some provide transport services. However, these are often modest endeavours, and many people don't even have the means to start such ventures.

Does the state provide well-paying jobs?

The public sector has suffered enormously in recent years. Government employees, such as teachers, doctors, or soldiers, do not receive regular salaries. The latter receive wages only three times a year.

A soldier's monthly salary is about 50,000 rials (1,000 Yemeni rials is approximately 5.5 CAD), meaning they earn less than 9 Canadian dollars a day. This amount is far from enough to survive, especially given the current high prices in Yemen.

What can you buy with that money?

One chicken costs about 15,000 rials (CAD 82). As a soldier, you could get three pieces for a month's salary. Therefore, the diet of Yemenis primarily consists of bread and beans.

Moreover, in government-controlled regions, the currency is four times more valuable than in regions controlled by Houthi forces, leading to significant price differences for goods. People struggle with lacking jobs, food, and basic services, making life increasingly difficult.

What about access to healthcare?

This is one of the most serious issues the country is currently facing. Yes, access to government hospitals is formally possible, but the reality is that even if someone gets to a hospital, they do not have the funds to purchase necessary medications or pay for treatment.

Government hospitals are overwhelmed, and the number of beds available for patients is definitely too small. Many patients are forced to use very expensive private hospitals.

Does that mean Yemenis can't afford such treatment?

I encountered a situation where a patient needed immediate medical assistance in a private hospital. The family couldn't afford the treatment costs, which amounted to 120,000 rials (about 660 CAD), so the man didn't receive help in time and unfortunately died. Such situations are common.

The situation is not improved by the poor sanitary conditions in Yemen, especially in camps for internally displaced people. Rural areas and internally displaced persons camps suffer from a lack of sanitary infrastructure. Garbage is disposed of in an uncontrolled manner, leading to outbreaks of epidemics such as cholera.

And what about education?

Access to education in Yemen, especially in the city of Ma'rib, where I work, is minimal. The number of students far exceeds the capacity of local schools. According to recent data, about 130,000 children in Ma'rib do not attend school due to a lack of places in facilities, educational materials, and teachers.

Many schools are overcrowded, forcing families to forgo enrolling their children. The war has impacted the education system negatively—many schools were destroyed or closed. Even if they are open, they lack essential equipment, which means children cannot fully benefit from learning.

What are Yemen's prospects for emerging from the war and humanitarian crisis in the near future?

It's hard to be optimistic realistically. I don't see any severe actions from countries involved in the conflict that could end the war shortly. Although we all hope for a better tomorrow, the reality is that the conflict has lasted a decade, and the situation is only getting worse.

However, if the war ends, many Yemenis will return to their homes, which might be the first step toward rebuilding the country. If hostilities ceased, the internally displaced people camps could eventually close, people would return to work, and economic recovery would become possible. But for now, the situation is very tough, and Yemen's future remains uncertain.