Yemen is the home to some 29 million people. The Yemeni port, Mocha, was once the center of the world’s coffee trade and the first cup of coffee was brewed in Yemen. The country boasts a number of landmarks with cultural and historical importance, some of which have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, including the historic town of Zabid, the old city of Sana’a, old Walled city of Shibam, and the island of Socotra.

Yemen was already considered as one of the poorest countries in the Arab region and, in 2014, an armed conflict began due to a failed political transition. The conflict today includes many players, such as the Houthis, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and more. According to ACLED, over 100,000 people have been killed in Yemen due to war.

The war has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in Yemen, as well as the largest outbreak of cholera in modern history. According to the United Nations and Save the Children:

• 24.1M people — 80% of the population — are in need of humanitarian aid
• 20.1M are food insecure
• 14M people are in acute need
• 3M people have been displaced
• 70% of children don’t have access to clean water and sanitation
• 2M children are out of school
• 10.3M children don’t have enough food to eat

More recently, COVID-19 reached Yemen. UN findings suggest that 20% of people being treated after becoming infected are dying, compared to the 7% global average. The COVID-19 fatality rate in Yemen is about 5 times the global average, according to the UN. The WHO believes many more people in Yemen are affected by COVID-19 than official reports show.

How to help Yemen

SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT YEMEN

Discuss the crisis with others, share articles, and spread awareness about how Yemen is facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.