Yemen

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For over five years, war has trapped children in a brutal cycle of hunger and sickness. We’re fighting to get desperately needed food to them. But more children urgently need your help.

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What Is the Situation In Yemen?

Yemen has long been one of the poorest countries in the Middle East.

In March 2015, a long-running political crisis escalated into violence, with devastating consequences for people who live in Yemen.

And while the sides in the conflict continue to vie for control, Yemen’s people are going hungry.

Not enough food is getting into the country, the sanitation system has been decimated, and hospitals have been destroyed.

It's now being called one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time.

The impact of coronavirus on Yemen will be devastating after five years of civil war and half of the country's health facilities destroyed in the conflict. Yemen has just over 500 confirmed cases of the virus, but there are reports of deaths from COVID-19 symptoms from around the country and case fatality is alarmingly high.

We're currently raising funds to help children affected by COVID-19 in Yemen and around the world - find out more about our coronavirus response in Yemen here.

Razan*, a child from Yemen wearing a bright pink hat, looks confidently at the camera

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Two campaign champions spread the word for Yemen's children

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THE WORLD'S LARGEST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The war in Yemen is now over five years long and has left 11.3 million children in need of humanitarian assistance to survive.

Schools and hospitals have been caught in the crossfire and the economy has collapsed, meaning even food, fuel and water are beyond the reach of many families.

Now the country is on the brink. Extreme hunger and disease may have already claimed the lives of up to 85,000 young children. And right now, millions of children don't know where their next meal will come from - or if it will come at all.

The UN has warned that this could become the worst famine in 100 years, with 20 million at risk of extreme hunger unless they get urgent, unfettered humanitarian aid. This is becoming a manmade disaster on an almost unprecedented scale.

Tentative steps are being made towards peace. But for the children whose lives are hanging by a thread right now, there isn’t a moment to lose.

Watch: How Save the Children is helping