Yemen's humanitarian crisis deteriorates

Yemen is facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Half of the population is facing hunger and it is estimated that almost 16 million people or 61% of the population, are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance.

10 months of fighting between forces loyal to besieged President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and Houthi rebels has killed around 6,000 people, about half of them civilians.

According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), about 14.4 million people face food insecurity due to impending famine.

The UNICEF says that since the beginning of clashes in March, the number of malnutrition cases has doubled.

It estimates that 1.3 million children are suffering from severe and acute malnutrition, which can lead to death or deformity.

Additionally, hundreds of nutrition clinics have stopped working because of shortage and the fighting.

“192 centres for the treatment of malnutrition have stopped working due to a lack of fuel or due to the continued conflict or because the centres and hospitals have been hit by airstrikes or because they have been abused by armed factions or because health workers and staff have been displace” said ,Mohammed Al Saadi, spokesman for UNICEF

Saadi added that the economy of the middle east country contracted by 35% in 2015.

Once known as ‘Happy Arabia’, now there is nothing to smile about.The conflict has reached 21 out of 22 of Yemen’s provinces and shows no sign of ending.

More than 2.51 million people have been displaced internally which is more than four times the number recorded at the beginning of 2015.

An additional 121,000 people have fled the country.