07.23.18

Yemen: Supporting People with Special Needs

  News

According to Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview (2017), an estimated 18.7 million people in Yemen are in need of humanitarian or protection assistance.

Of the 18.7 million, 10.1 million are in acute need. The conflict in Yemen is reaching dire proportions with no clear end to the current conflict foreseen in the near future.

Conflict Increasing Numbers of Disabled People

The number of people  with disabilities in Yemen is estimated at approximately 4 million. This number keeps increasing due to the ongoing armed conflict in the country.

In addition to the armed conflict  which is becoming a major contributor to increasing the number of disabled people, there are other causes for disability. These include congenital diseases, complications at birth, illnesses with the shortages in medications and accidents.

The deteriorating humanitarian and economical downfall within country governments has lead donors and aid agencies to feeling overwhelmed.

The war is creating  many competing priorities during emergencies. This is resulting in people with disabilities and special needs being left out.

Humanitarian Needs of Disabled Persons  in Winter

Winter 2017-2018 was one of the most difficult winters in Yemen as the cold weather spiked during the night. The extremely cold weather increased the suffering of the poor and other disadvantaged groups.  Due to the conflict, they lack the necessary winter clothing and blankets to keep them warm during this season.

The project aimed to alleviate part of the suffering of the disabled and special needs. They were provided with winterization packages to stay warm, prepare and protect against the common winter diseases. The packages were in high demand with the current shortage of medications and medical services available in the targeted locations.

The two locations which were chosen to implement the project were Taiz and Amran. Both governorates are considered among the worst cities in Yemen that are affected by the ongoing clashes. These areas contain a high number of IDPs.

The project supporting disabled individuals with our winterization packages comprising of a mattress, blanket and clothing package with socks, gloves, scars and hat.

During this time, Islamic Relief Australia supported Orphans in Bosnia. Our Winterization Projects vary depending on the countries needs.

06.13.18

Yemen: Humanitarian Catastrophe

  News

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After almost three years of intense conflict, an estimated 22.2 million people in Yemen need humanitarian aid to survive – more than any other country in the world.  The tragedy has reached epic proportions, with a child dying every 10 minutes from preventable causes like diarrhoea, breathing infections and malnutrition.

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During the past six months, conflict has intensified in the western coast of Yemen. Pro-government forces backed by the Saudi led coalition are fighting to retake western coastal governorates from Houthi armed group. In the recent days, coalition and allied forces have closed in on the city of Hodeida, home to around 400,000 people and the main gateway for imports of relief supplies and commercial goods.

Yemeni Child near Tent

According to a recent statement by The Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen:

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“In addition to being one of Yemen’s most densely populated areas, Hodeidah is the single most important point of entry for the food and basic supplies needed to prevent famine and a recurrence of a cholera epidemic.”

Yemeni child during conflict in Yemen

The United Nations, Islamic Relief and other INGOs working in Yemen issued a statement on 11 June, warning that any operation aimed at seizing Hodeida itself would have catastrophic humanitarian consequences.

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“If an attack does take place, it is likely to have a catastrophic impact on the civilian population as large parts of the Yemeni population will be at risk of displacement, disease and worsening food insecurity, including possible famine. Food imports have already reached the lowest levels since the conflict started and the price of basic commodities has risen by a third. Seventeen million people in Yemen are already food insecure, and Hodeidah governorate is already in crisis.”

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Islamic Relief began working in Yemen in 1998 and registered an office there in 2003. The programme was significantly strengthened following the escalation of the conflict in March 2015.

Islamic Relief team in Yemen

We work in 19 of the country’s 22 governorates, delivering aid to many hard-to-reach areas. Our country office is in the capital, Sana’a, and we have eight sub-offices in Dhamar, Amran, Aden, Taiz, Hodeida, Saada, Maarib and Rymah.

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Our emergency and development response, including food aid, water and sanitation, healthcare, orphan and child welfare and vocational training for young people, has benefitted millions of people over the last three years.

Yemeni Children receiving Aid

Islamic Relief is coordinating its efforts with INGO and UN agencies to prepare contingency plans for emergency response should the attack on Hodeidah take place.

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