STATISTICS
AS OF NOV 2018: 6,800 CIVILIANS KILLED AND AT LEAST 10,700 INJURED (UNITED NATIONS)
22 MILLION IN NEED OF HUMANITARIAN AID
85,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 DIED FROM MALNUTRITION (SAVE THE CHILDREN)
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
The Yemen War has its beginnings in the Arab Spring, a movement driven by pro-democratic protesters across the Arab world in 2011, resulting in the current President of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, coming to power. President Hadi was struggling to deal with many problems in the country, and the rebels in the North (the Houthis) took advantage of this situation and took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in early 2015 and started to work towards taking over Yemen’s second biggest city in the South – Aden.
The conflict has only gotten more complicated since, and the three-year war has taken its toll on the country.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
In April 2018, the UN General-Secretary declared the Yemen civil war as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As the war enters its fourth year, more than three quarters of Yemen’s population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, and half of the population is on the brink of famine. Because of more deadly air strikes, especially at the Red Sea port of Hudaydah, an essential supply route for food and medicine imports, Yemen is facing increased food insecurity and a failing healthcare system.
WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?
Women and children are facing the brunt of this war. UN Women reports that of the millions of civilians displaced in 2018, almost 76% of them are women and children. Maternal and infant mortality rates are rising due to the lack of medical support and supplies in the hospitals. In addition, for every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death, with an estimated 150,000 children’s lives at risk of death by malnutrition.
WHAT NOW:
– Pray:
1. that all imports of food and medical supplies will be granted permission to enter the country and sent to those who need it desperately.
2. for the bombings and fighting to cease and for parties involved to be at peace with one another.
– Read: Psalm 9:9. Pray that God will be a refuge and stronghold for those who are affected.
– Reflect: In light of these sufferings in this world, what hope do we have in Jesus Christ?
