Children fetching water in Yemen's capital Sana'a.
(Photo: UNICEF/Yasin)
Jun 05, 2015
More than two months of a brutal Saudi Arabia-led military assault and siege on Yemen has sown a humanitarian crisis that now engulfs the vast majority of the country's people, with U.S.-backed naval blockades cutting off most aid shipments, even as 20 million Yemenis--80 percent of the population--are in dire need of medical, food, and water assistance, according to United Nations figures.
The UN's grave assessment will be formally released next week, according toThe Guardian. At a press conference on Friday in Geneva, representatives of the global body said that more than 2,288 have been killed, nearly 10,000 wounded, and more than one million displaced since the beginning of the Saudi coalition military assault, in which the United States is a key participant.
"Half of the new displacement--more than half a million people--has occurred in three governorates alone: Hajjah, Ad Dhale'e and Ibb," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "The number of displaced is expected to increase further over the coming weeks if the conflict continues."
The naval siege is also blocking shipments of oil and gas, leading to shortages that are disrupting electricity and forcing the closure of hospitals, schools, and water pumps. People living in areas heavily impacted by the Saudi coalition air bombardments, as well as on-the-ground clashes, are in the position of having to find a way to obtain food and water amidst the fighting.
In what aid group Doctors Without Borders describes as "indiscriminate airstrikes," the Saudi coalition has bombed schools, refugee camps, residential neighborhoods, humanitarian aid warehouses, and other civilian infrastructure. The organization warned on Twitter:
\u201cPatients with non-communicable chronic diseases have complications &can die as they are unable to access the health structures. #YemenCrisis\u201d— MSF Yemen (@MSF Yemen) 1433064809
Last week, the humanitarian organization Oxfam warned that at least 16 million people in the country are without access to clean drinking water and "Yemen's hospitals are in no condition to adequately cope with an outbreak of a water-borne disease."
As they have since the Saudi-led assault began, Yemenis have turned to social media to document the impact of the war and call for an end to the fighting:
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
More than two months of a brutal Saudi Arabia-led military assault and siege on Yemen has sown a humanitarian crisis that now engulfs the vast majority of the country's people, with U.S.-backed naval blockades cutting off most aid shipments, even as 20 million Yemenis--80 percent of the population--are in dire need of medical, food, and water assistance, according to United Nations figures.
The UN's grave assessment will be formally released next week, according toThe Guardian. At a press conference on Friday in Geneva, representatives of the global body said that more than 2,288 have been killed, nearly 10,000 wounded, and more than one million displaced since the beginning of the Saudi coalition military assault, in which the United States is a key participant.
"Half of the new displacement--more than half a million people--has occurred in three governorates alone: Hajjah, Ad Dhale'e and Ibb," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "The number of displaced is expected to increase further over the coming weeks if the conflict continues."
The naval siege is also blocking shipments of oil and gas, leading to shortages that are disrupting electricity and forcing the closure of hospitals, schools, and water pumps. People living in areas heavily impacted by the Saudi coalition air bombardments, as well as on-the-ground clashes, are in the position of having to find a way to obtain food and water amidst the fighting.
In what aid group Doctors Without Borders describes as "indiscriminate airstrikes," the Saudi coalition has bombed schools, refugee camps, residential neighborhoods, humanitarian aid warehouses, and other civilian infrastructure. The organization warned on Twitter:
\u201cPatients with non-communicable chronic diseases have complications &can die as they are unable to access the health structures. #YemenCrisis\u201d— MSF Yemen (@MSF Yemen) 1433064809
Last week, the humanitarian organization Oxfam warned that at least 16 million people in the country are without access to clean drinking water and "Yemen's hospitals are in no condition to adequately cope with an outbreak of a water-borne disease."
As they have since the Saudi-led assault began, Yemenis have turned to social media to document the impact of the war and call for an end to the fighting:
Sarah Lazare
Sarah Lazare was a staff writer for Common Dreams from 2013-2016. She is currently web editor and reporter for In These Times.
More than two months of a brutal Saudi Arabia-led military assault and siege on Yemen has sown a humanitarian crisis that now engulfs the vast majority of the country's people, with U.S.-backed naval blockades cutting off most aid shipments, even as 20 million Yemenis--80 percent of the population--are in dire need of medical, food, and water assistance, according to United Nations figures.
The UN's grave assessment will be formally released next week, according toThe Guardian. At a press conference on Friday in Geneva, representatives of the global body said that more than 2,288 have been killed, nearly 10,000 wounded, and more than one million displaced since the beginning of the Saudi coalition military assault, in which the United States is a key participant.
"Half of the new displacement--more than half a million people--has occurred in three governorates alone: Hajjah, Ad Dhale'e and Ibb," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "The number of displaced is expected to increase further over the coming weeks if the conflict continues."
The naval siege is also blocking shipments of oil and gas, leading to shortages that are disrupting electricity and forcing the closure of hospitals, schools, and water pumps. People living in areas heavily impacted by the Saudi coalition air bombardments, as well as on-the-ground clashes, are in the position of having to find a way to obtain food and water amidst the fighting.
In what aid group Doctors Without Borders describes as "indiscriminate airstrikes," the Saudi coalition has bombed schools, refugee camps, residential neighborhoods, humanitarian aid warehouses, and other civilian infrastructure. The organization warned on Twitter:
\u201cPatients with non-communicable chronic diseases have complications &can die as they are unable to access the health structures. #YemenCrisis\u201d— MSF Yemen (@MSF Yemen) 1433064809
Last week, the humanitarian organization Oxfam warned that at least 16 million people in the country are without access to clean drinking water and "Yemen's hospitals are in no condition to adequately cope with an outbreak of a water-borne disease."
As they have since the Saudi-led assault began, Yemenis have turned to social media to document the impact of the war and call for an end to the fighting:
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.