The Yemen Crisis has not been the focus of many news outlets, as they turn their attention to other crises occurring around the world. The Yemen Crisis is often considered “the forgotten war” due to many people being unaware of the catastrophic events occurring in Yemen. In recent news, the effects of the war have been spread and more people are informed on what the citizens of Yemen are dealing with. However, many people find themselves to be confused about what the war is about and who is fighting whom. Here is a brief summary of what you need to know about the Yemen Crisis.

How and When Did It Begin?
The war in Yemen began in 2011 when the authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, was forced to give up his leadership position after leading Yemen for more than three decades. The new president, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, struggled with attacks from the Houthi rebels and Al-Qaeda, lack of food, unemployment, and corruption. The Houthi rebels were once a group of Shia Muslims who advocated for peace but now find themselves being in alliance with the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, fighting to overtake the government.

Who is Fighting Whom?
The Houthi rebels continued to terrorize Yemen and Hadi until he was forced to flee to the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. In support of Hadi and Yemen, Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign. The Houthis, on the other hand, are supported by Iran, which is predominantly Shia.

What Are The Effects?
The Yemen crisis has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis with around 22 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Several children are dying due to lack of food and clean water and the country has become at high risk of a cholera epidemic. Around 16 million people do not have access to basic healthcare.

How To Help?
There are several organizations dedicated to helping those affected by the Yemen crisis. If you are unable to donate yourself, encourage others to donate and do what they can to help those struggling in Yemen.

International Rescue Committee:
https://www.rescue.org/country/yemen

Save The Children:
https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/where-we-work/greater-middle-east-eurasia/yemen

Oxfam International
https://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/crisis-yemen

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