The humanitarian emergency weighs more than the war

Hundreds of activist groups and NGOs are asking for help. To date “only” $435 million has been raised compared to the $2.7 billion needed to guarantee basic assistance. From the EU a contribution of 125 million euros. But a “political solution” is also needed to accompany “life-saving assistance.”

Sana’a () – Hundreds of activist groups and pro-rights organizations are launching an appeal to raise funds and humanitarian aid for the population of Yemen, a nation devastated by war that faces “a crossroads” that, if If no action is taken, it will end up having “catastrophic consequences.” In a joint note released in recent days, 188 organizations operating on the ground, including agencies linked to the United Nations, denounce that so far only 435 million dollars have been raised, compared to the 2.7 billion necessary to guarantee assistance. “essential”. A situation of profound criticality that is also reflected on the ground: if the escalation of the war seems to have stopped in the last period, on the other hand, the criticality of the shortage of food, water and serious diseases continues to increase.

The lack of funding, explains the NGO statement, constitutes “a challenge” for “humanitarian programming” and is causing “delays, reductions and suspensions of life-saving assistance programs.” This emergency affects at least 18.2 million people, which represents more than half of the population, who are in a situation of extreme need after nine years of war.

The conflict in Yemen erupted in 2014 as an internal clash between pro-Tehran Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces; As the months passed, it became an open war with Riyadh’s intervention in March 2015 at the head of a coalition of Arab nations and has claimed almost 400,000 lives in recent years. According to the UN, it has caused the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis” on which Covid-19 has had effects “devastating“; millions of people are on the verge of starvation and children -11,000 dead in the conflict – will suffer consequences during decades. Internally displaced people have exceeded three million, the majority living in conditions of extreme misery, hunger and epidemics of various kinds, among which cholera stands out.

The contraction of the economy, the deterioration of public services, low-intensity violence and vulnerability to climate change continue to cause humanitarian crises, as confirmed by those who continue to work in the country. Among the most vulnerable groups are lactating women, the elderly and children exposed to increasing levels of food shortages. The spread of cholera in the current rainy season and unexploded landmines, which have caused deaths and injuries, are also of great concern, to the extent that the nation and its people are at “a crossroads.” With a population of 33 million, Yemen is one of the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world. According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of people have died in war or from indirect causes such as lack of food, two out of every five children do not go to school and 17 million – half of them children – need health care.

Civilians in particular have suffered, often left to fend for themselves and with few means to meet basic needs, starting with water, food and medicine. In response to the many needs, the European Commission allocated €125 million in humanitarian aid during the sixth summit on Yemen held in Brussels in recent days and led by Commissioner Janez Lenarčič. The money, channeled through EU partners, UN agencies and NGOs also deployed on the ground, will be used to combat malnutrition, alleviate health deficiencies and help clear land, but it is little more than a drop in the ocean of needs.

Added to this are specific educational projects for the little ones. For a Yemen on the verge of reaching the unenviable milestone of 10 years of “devastating conflict”, Lenarčič emphasizes, “it is once again the innocent people […] those who continue to pay the most devastating price. More than half of the population continues to suffer the consequences of conflict, economic collapse, natural hazards and disease outbreaks.” Hence the need for a “political solution”, now more than ever “essential”, to be accompanied by “life-saving aid.”

(Photo: World Food Program USA)