Worsening Humanitarian Crisis In Yemen

UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations in Yemen sound the alarm as the crisis in Yemen has spread from people directly affected by conflict to millions of ordinary Yemenis across the country, particularly women and children.

Children are growing up in an environment where rates of malnutrition are comparable to those in Somalia and where one in three people do not know where their next meal will come from.

Speaking at a photographic exhibition and press event in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, said, “While there have been significant political developments in Yemen, humanitarian needs are forecast by all actors to deteriorate still further over the next 12 months,” he added.

Yemen will continue to need substantial humanitarian assistance for at least 3-5 years, especially in terms of protection, food and nutrition, health care, sanitation and clean water, the UN said today.

In addition, Yemen is a historic transit hub for migrants and stands out in the region for its hospitality towards refugees. Despite the unrest in the country this year has seen an unprecedented numbers of refugees and migrant arriving in search of safe haven in Yemen.

The exhibition, titled “Facing Crisis: Yemen’s Deepening Humanitarian Challenges”, was organized by UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations in Yemen, to raise awareness of the situation in Yemen and announce plans for a regional event where humanitarian actors will appeal for funds for Yemen in January.

The Yemen Humanitarian Response plan 2012 is seeking *$447 million.* This represents an increase of *95 %* compared to the one year ago.

The event was held in coordination with the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, IHC’s CEO H.E. Shaima Al Zarooni Said: “The International Humanitarian City is a leading global humanitarian logistics hub that connects East and West, empowering those to create lasting change in the lives of people in need. As part of its mandate IHC responded to the Yemeni Humanitarian Crises, through sending more than 15 shipments to Yemen from its warehouses between 2010 and 2011, with a value exceeding 5.8 Million Dirhams’ through the different UN members and the IHC will continue its support”.

Some analysts estimate that the damage done due to conflict and economic crisis over the last 12 months has set the country back by 5-10 years.

Speaking at the event, the Yemen’s Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed Al-Anansi urged the international community not to forget Yemen. “The new government in Yemen, which has just assumed office, will need time to stabilise the country,” the minister said. “Humanitarian support will play a crucial role in this period of transition, especially through the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan, which was developed in partnership with the government.”

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