Aryam with her children, Yemen. The family was forced to flee because of the war. They are one of the many families receiving cash assistance from Oxfam. Photo: Ayman Fuad/Oxfam
The conflict in Yemen
Famine in Yemen, 2 million children suffer from malnutrition
The conflict between a Saudi-led coalition of Gulf countries and the government of Yemen against the Ansar-Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, has been ongoing since March 2015. The situation remains one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises. More than four million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 18 million people - 53% of the country's population - depend on emergency aid to survive.
The country's economy is in shambles. Homes, warehouses, agriculture and key parts of the civilian infrastructure have been destroyed and food prices continue to rise, while the poorest people have lost their incomes.
Oxfam is on the ground with life-saving interventions. We've been working in Yemen for over 30 years and this is one of our biggest operations. So far we have reached 3 million people, with your support we can reach even more.
Photo: Jehad Al-Nahary/Oxfam
The situation is urgent
Millions of people at risk of hunger and disease
The UN warns that Yemen is facing the worst famine the world has seen in decades. Before the war, the country imported around 90% of its food and most of its fuel. Sea, land and air restrictions made imports difficult, while markets, farms and water sources were shelled or bombed.
Food is now on average twice as expensive, meaning the poorest people suffer the most. More than half of the people in Yemen do not have enough to eat. 7.4 million people - 25% of the population - suffer from malnutrition, two million of them children.
The country has been battling cholera since the worst outbreak in the world began five years ago. More than 2.1 million cases have been reported and the pandemic has further devastated the already fragile health system.
"Even people who escape the missiles and bullets face a daily struggle to survive disease and misery. It is time for the world to say: enough is enough."
Muhsin Siddiquey, Oxfam country director, Yemen
The people of Yemen need peace. They need to rebuild their lives and live without the fear, devastation and poverty caused by the conflict.
Oxfam's efforts
The operation in Yemen is one of Oxfam's largest. The war makes the work challenging, but we are determined to keep doing what it takes to save lives and to keep working for a fairer and better future for the people of the country. In total, Oxfam has reached over 3 million people in Yemen since 2015.
The work we are doing now includes ensuring that people displaced by the conflict have access to clean water and sanitation: engineering teams are fixing pipes, renovating water systems and building latrines. We are working with volunteers to carry out hygiene campaigns to raise awareness of cholera symptoms and how to prevent the spread of the disease. Our health teams also distribute hygiene kits consisting of soap and buckets.
People who have been forced to flee their homes receive cash assistance to cover their most basic needs. We also support people in finding jobs and earning an income, for example with training, support for small businesses and materials that enable people to start growing food.
Your support is needed!
For millions of Yemeni women, men and children, life is a daily struggle and violence is ever-present. We are on the ground with life-saving assistance but urgently need to reach many more. Your support is needed.
The simplest, and most cost-effective, way to change the lives of people in war, disaster and crisis is to become a monthly donor. This allows us to plan our work for the long term and to act where the needs are greatest. Together, we challenge injustice and oppression - and take the fight to a more just world.
