Yemen: UN reports 22 million in need of aid and protection

Event

The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, stated in early April that Yemen had become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Over 22 million people, about three quarters of Yemen’s total population, is in dire need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Out of the 22 million people affected, 11.3 million are children. According to Guterres, around 18 million people suffer from food insecurity and 8 million "do not know where they will obtain there next meal." The country is also facing a severe shortage of clean water, which has resulted in over a million cases of diarrhoea and cholera in 2017 alone.

Context

Yemen is engaged in a complex and deadly conflict, ongoing since Houthi rebels entered into a civil war with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. More than 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million have been displaced.

Advice

The security environment in Yemen remains complex. Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.