The World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis

Called the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” in Yemen, more than 20 million people are at risk for famine, and aid agencies are desperately funneling as much aid as possible to at-risk families.

While one of the Earth’s oldest inhabited areas, Yemen is also one of the Arab world’s poorest and least developed countries. Child malnutrition rates are among the world’s highest: around half of all Yemeni children under 5 years old are stunted.

And now, as fears of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) grow, hospital and health facilities across the country are scrambling to find medical supplies to help anyone who may become infected and to stop the others from contracting it. Yemen is all too familiar with the spread of rampant disease: Cholera gripped families across Yemen for years, and it still does.

The situation across Yemen is dire, but we envision a better world for our sisters and brothers in need, and together with you, we can make that vision a reality.

Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Yemen

Islamic Relief is a leading humanitarian organization in Yemen, with more than 3,000 field staff and volunteers in the country. Other notable charities depend on us to deliver their aid as well, due to our strong relationships and powerful program infrastructures across nearly all Yemeni provinces.

Through the support of generous humanitarians and donors, health supplies and resources are being boosted; urgent food aid is being sent; and clean water and sanitation systems are being put into place. And now, we are working with our global family to find ways to increase our health-related support there to reinforce preventative measures and build medical center capacity in case coronavirus reaches communities there.

Since the most-recent conflict began in 2015, IRUSA has been delivering life-saving aid in almost all Yemeni provinces, including dangerous areas like Ta’iz, Saa’da, and Aden. IRUSA donors like you have helped thousands of people in Yemen to date. Being there for the people of Yemen is part of the legacy IRUSA is building in the Middle East.

Here’s just a sampling of our recent efforts for families in need across Yemen

• Implementing of integrated nutritional programming for women and acutely-malnourished children
• Rehabilitating of water sources, solar panels, and water tanks to provide quality water and sanitation sources
• Distributing of vital medications and medical resources to help health care services treat cholera patients

 Download Middle East Donor Report  (updated: May 2020)