Yemen
Facts and figures
- Total population: 30.5 million
- Total population under 18: 12.3 million
- Children affected by conflict: 7.4 million
- Number of War Child projects in 2019: Two
- Number of partners providing funding: One
- Total number of child participants: 13,201
National Situation
The civil war inside Yemen has escalated over the past four years - from an internal conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels into a wide-ranging conflict between competing regional powers.
Hopes of a ceasefire following UN-brokered talks in Sweden in December 2018 have been dashed. Yemeni citizens remain exposed to both terrorist attacks by Islamic State and air strikes from Saudi-led coalition forces. Air strikes have increased in intensity in recent months - particularly around the Amanat Al Asimah and Sana’a governorates.
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains the worst in the world - with the war triggering an economic collapse that has pushed the country to the brink of famine. The ongoing conflict has left some 24 million people - around 80 per cent of the population - in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
The dire humanitarian situation inside the country has seen - in addition to widespread food scarcity - flash floods and outbreaks of Cholera and Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD).
An estimated 12.3 million children in Yemen are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.
Photo: War Child UK
Situation of Children
The children of Yemen have suffered most as a result of the conflict to date. An estimated 12.3 million children are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. All of whom face serious risks to their safety, wellbeing and fundamental rights - in particular death or maiming as a result of armed exchanges.
Air attacks on schools and hospitals are common - and the continued destruction of public services has left some 4.7 million children in need of educational assistance. An estimated two million children are out of school - exposed to risks including recruitment into armed groups and child marriage.
The ongoing conflict has seen children forced from their homes and separated from family members - with some 1.7 million children classified as IDPs. Mental distress among children and youth in Yemen is acute - at least 35 per cent of child protection incidents reported to social workers in 2018 were related to mental health and psychosocial issues. Yet available support services are scarce.
What We Do
War Child Holland continues to support the work of War Child UK in providing protection and emergency food supplies to displaced and vulnerable children.
War Child has also participated in the international Yemen Joint Response. The initiative - coordinated by the Dutch Relief Alliance - sees six organisations work together to deliver emergency humanitarian assistance inside Yemen.
The Joint Response initiative allows the participating organisations to provide rapid humanitarian assistance to address urgent protection and health needs.
Our Projects
Emergency Cash Assistance Programme
War Child distributes cash and vouchers directly to the most vulnerable children and families in Yemen. Each remittance helps a family buy enough food for one month.
Education in Emergencies Initiative
War Child works to rehabilitate schools and set up Child Friendly Spaces to ensure that children have a safe environment to learn. These efforts are further reinforced through support for teachers and awareness-raising activities on the importance of education.
