Help Yemen's Children
- Eleven years of war have left more than 18 million people in desperate need of food, water and lifesaving assistance
- Millions of Yemenis face widespread displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services
- In 2023, Save the Children reached 1.8 million people in Yemen, including 1.1 million children
Eleven years of deadly conflict in Yemen has left 11 million children struggling to survive
Escalation of conflict, embargoes and a collapsed economy have pushed 80% of the population below the poverty line
The ongoing crisis has resulted in widespread malnutrition, with 2.2 million children suffering from acute malnutrition
At a Glance: The Crisis in Yemen
- Population of Yemen: 32.6 million
- People in need of humanitarian assistance: 18 million
- People internally displaced by crisis: Over 4.5 million - half of which are children
- Number of attacks on schools and hospitals in one year: 89
- Number of children acutely malnourished: Over 2 million
Our Response:
- Save the Children has been working in Yemen since 1963 as one of the largest aid organizations operating in Yemen.
- Since March 2015, we’ve reached more than 5 million children in Yemen with life-saving assistance.
- We support over 200 health facilities across Yemen to deliver vital nutrition services for babies, children and mothers.
Questions
How long has the conflict in Yemen lasted?
Yemen has been in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe for eleven years, as the country is caught in a vicious cycle of armed conflict, economic crisis and disruptions to vital public services. The armed conflict that began escalating in 2014-2015, has been the main driver of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
How many people in Yemen are in need of humanitarian aid?
The situation is dire, with the majority of the population—over 18 million people, half of them children—in humanitarian need.
What impact has the conflict in Yemen had on the country’s economy?
The economy of Yemen has been decimated by the ongoing armed conflict, with macroeconomic instability, de facto separation of economic institutions, import restrictions and natural disasters all contributing to its weakening. This has led to the reversal of past development gains and a shrinkage of the economy by half since the escalation of the conflict.
What impact did the truce have on the conflict in Yemen?
A glimmer of hope for Yemen’s people emerged in April 2022, when a UN-brokered ceasefire was agreed upon. The six-month ceasefire period, which expired on 2 October, led to a sharp reduction in conflict-induced civilian casualties, including a 34% decrease in child casualties.
What impact is the climate crisis having on the conflict in Yemen?
Climate change and natural hazards also have a significant impact on children and civilians in Yemen. The country is highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, such as floods and droughts, which can lead to food insecurity and displacement. These hazards also exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the country and make it even more difficult for civilians, including children, to access basic needs such as food and healthcare.
What has been Save the Children’s response to the conflict in Yemen?
Save the Children is the biggest NGO in Yemen and has been working with Yemeni children since 1963. Save the Children significantly increased its humanitarian response when the conflict began in 2015, and despite the enormous challenges, Save the Children continues to reach the most vulnerable children across Yemen.
Our programs are aimed at making sure children in Yemen have enough food to eat, can access healthcare, can continue their education, and are protected from violence.
How many children has Save the Children reached since the beginning on the crisis in Yemen?
Since the beginning of the crisis, Save the Children has reached more than five million children with crucial support.