Factbox: Stampede highlights Yemen’s dire humanitarian crisis

In Yemen, where two thirds of the population depend on humanitarian help, a stampede occurred when hundreds of people gathered at a school to receive monetary gifts during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which claimed 78 lives.

Yemen, which was already the most impoverished country on the Arabian Peninsula, is currently experiencing what the UN deems one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in the history of the world due to an eight-year conflict that has torn the nation apart and destroyed its infrastructure, economy, and government.

Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, which pits a Saudi Arabian-led military alliance against the Houthis, who are allied with Iran and control a major portion of northern Yemen after driving the internationally recognized government out of the capital, Sanaa.

The coalition’s sea and air embargo of Houthi-controlled ports and Sanaa airport, which was lifted under a peace agreement that still holds after last year’s truce agreement expired through U.N. mediation, has been blamed by the Houthis for shortages of essential supplies in the import-dependent nation.

Donor governments are worried as a result of the Houthis’ treatment by humanitarian organizations who accuse them of obstructing the delivery of aid.

ASSISTANCE TO THE HUMANITARIAN
The United Nations estimates that over 21 million people, or almost two thirds of Yemen’s population, will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2023.

The World Food Programme reported in February that the number of people experiencing famine-like circumstances decreased over the previous year from 161,000 to zero, but it issued a warning that progress might be at risk.

To reach the 17 million most in need, the U.N. humanitarian plan will cost $4.3 billion this year. The lowest amount raised for Yemen since 2017 according to a U.N. official last month was the $1.16 billion contributed so far by crisis-stricken donors.

Agencies have had to reduce their humanitarian initiatives due to underfunding.

Acute need affects more than 14 million people. The number of displaced individuals is projected to reach 4.5 million, with 2 million of them being children.

ECONOMY Due to the war, Yemen’s economy has been completely decimated, and in 2022, the United Nations anticipated that the country’s poverty rate will be about 80%. For many years, the majority of public sector workers did not get regular pay.

The sharp increase in food prices as well as the decline in economic prospects and livelihoods in Yemen are the main causes of this situation.

Divergent exchange rates for the Yemeni rial are a result of competing monetary policies between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government in the south.

Relief was provided by the recently expired truce agreement, which brought about a year of comparatively quiet conditions and made it easier for commercial ships carrying goods like food and fuel to dock at Hodeidah’s main port.

SERVICES The war has damaged the framework for fundamental services and infrastructure.

Millions of kids lack access to clean water, sanitary facilities, and hygiene services, and the nation is susceptible to illness epidemics, including some that may be avoided with vaccinations.

Only 54% of the nation’s healthcare institutions, according to a U.N. study from the previous year, were stated to be completely operating.