In a nutshell: why is there conflict?
- Religious, political and entrenched tribal rivalries have escalated into a civil war.
- Northern Shia Muslim rebels known as Houthis took over several cities including the capital, Sanaa, and forced the government into exile in March 2015.
- Forces loyal to the government and southern militias combined to regain control of several southern provinces. The government has since returned.
- The combination of Saudi-led coalition air strikes, blockades and shelling on both sides has restricted the ability of humanitarian aid reaching the most affected.
- Repeated efforts to bring closure to the ongoing conflict – including temporary ceasefires for humanitarian relief – have proved unsuccessful so far.
One high-priority concern: Malnourished children
Although the war is largely unreported, mainstream news outlets are beginning to shine a spotlight on the food crisis in Yemen.
A recent BBC documentary** showed appalling scenes of starvation. In her 20 years of medical experience, Dr Ashwaq Muharram shared that she had never seen things so bad.
“I’m seeing the same thing I used to watch on TV when the famine unfolded in Somalia. I never thought I would see this in Yemen. If you don’t die from an airstrike you die from illness or starvation. The hardest way to die is from starvation.”
Quick stats: How widespread is the problem?
- UNICEF estimate that 537,000 Yemeni children under the age of 5 are already at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
- Yemen has a population of around 26 million, almost half of all Yemenis lived below the poverty line BEFORE the conflict started.
- Every second person in Yemen, is struggling to find his or her next meal, according to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Pointers for prayer
- Pray for food security and protection on those who are bravely bringing urgent supplies to malnourished families.
- Pray for political breakthrough so that negotiations and ceasefires are respected by each side, allowing free access for humanitarian assistance and relief.
- Pray for an end to conflict, lasting peace in the country and divine reconciliation among all groups.
DISCLAIMER: Library image has been used and was taken before the conflict. It is used for illustrative purposes only.
**AWM-Pioneers is not responsible for the content of external sites and provides links to news sources for background information and not as a sign of endorsement or editorial support.
FROM OTHER NEWS SOURCES
YEMEN CLASHES UNDERMINE CEASEFIRE (external site** – Al Jazeera article)
YEMEN ON THE BRINK OF STARVATION (external site** – 5min BBC documentary clip on YouTube) – There are distressing scenes throughout this news broadcast.
RELATED ARTICLES
A TRUE PICTURE OF YEMEN (external site – Arab world media)
YEMEN APPEAL LAUNCHED
YEMEN APPEAL SUMMER 2016 UPDATE
