Yemen's enduring crisis: Half of population in urgent need

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. Hostilities have resulted in massive infrastructure destruction, blockades, and significant 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, alongside an inadequate healthcare system. The conflict has exacerbated these issues, leading to famine, the spread of many diseases, and the displacement of millions of people.

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

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

Adam Sieńko: Why do 50% of Yemenis need humanitarian aid today?

Afnan Al-Shawea: They have no other alternative. Lack of jobs, lack of employment opportunities, and low wages mean that humanitarian aid is the only source of survival for many families. In recent months, food projects like those run by the World Food Programme (WFP) were temporarily suspended, highlighting just 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 important to note that even before the war, the labour market situation in Yemen was very difficult. Many people already faced challenges in finding employment or any opportunities for professional development. Unfortunately, the war has dramatically worsened this situation.

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

How are Yemenis coping with this?

They try 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 very 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 £3). This means they earn less than half a pound a day. This amount is far from enough to survive, especially since prices in Yemen are currently very high.

What can you buy with that money?

One chicken costs about 15,000 rials. Being a soldier, you could get three chickens with 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 a lack of jobs, food, and basic services, making life increasingly difficult.

What about access to healthcare?

This is one of the most serious issues the country currently faces. Yes, access to government hospitals is formally possible, but the reality is that even if someone reaches 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 insufficient. Many patients are forced to use private hospitals, which are very expensive.

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 £90), so the man didn't receive help in time and unfortunately died. Such situations are unfortunately common.

The situation is not improved by the fact that sanitary conditions in Yemen are very poor, especially in camps for internally displaced people. Rural areas and internally displaced persons camps suffer from a lack of sanitary infrastructure. Waste 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 very limited. 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 had a destructive impact on the education system—many schools were destroyed or closed. Even if they are open, they lack basic equipment, which means children cannot fully benefit from learning.

What are Yemen's prospects for emerging from the war and humanitarian crisis shortly?

Realistically, it's hard to be optimistic. I don't see serious 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 for a decade, and the situation is only worsening.

However, if the war ends, many Yemenis will return to their homes, which might be the first step towards rebuilding the country. If the hostilities ceased, the internally displaced peoples' camps could be closed, people would return to work, and the economy's recovery would become possible. For now, however, the situation is very challenging, and Yemen's future remains uncertain.