Crisis in Yemen
Conflict in Yemen has unleashed one of the world鈥檚 most urgent humanitarian crises. Millions of people are suffering from hunger and those with life-threatening illnesses don鈥檛 have access to the treatment they need.
Yousra is suffering from cancer in her left eye. Her mother, Hayat Ali, had to bring her nearly 175 miles from their home in the port city of Hodeidah to the country鈥檚 capital Sana鈥檃 to get the diagnosis. Yousra then underwent a week of chemotherapy at Sana鈥檃鈥檚 Al-Jumhuri Hospital, paid for by a local charity.
But Hayat, 20, soon ran out of funds and could no longer continue Yousra鈥檚 treatment. The little girl鈥檚 condition has now worsened and there are fears that the cancer may reach her brain. Hayat told a BBC reporter last week that Yousra lives in agony. 鈥淚f they told me they could do an operation to give her my eye, I would do it,鈥 she said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 35,000 people have cancer in Yemen, with about 11,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Yousra鈥檚 only hope of survival is to undergo surgery abroad. 鈥淚 have been trying for three years to find someone to treat her,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking for anyone who can help.鈥
Yousra is one of the many children with serious illnesses in Yemen who are struggling to get the medical treatment they need. The country鈥檚 health system is in tatters: Hundreds of hospitals and healthcare facilities have been destroyed or damaged in the war, leaving half the country without access to even basic health care.
Hayat is also extremely worried about two of her other children, who are malnourished. She takes them to the 探花精选-supported health facility in Sana鈥檃 to be weighed and measured and receive treatment. There has been an alarming rise in malnutrition cases in Yemen, especially among children under five. Prices have skyrocketed during the war, and with a collapsed economy people cannot afford enough food for their families.
On Oct. 31, the United States called for a ceasefire in Yemen after four years of deadly conflict. Since 2015, the Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition has launched 18,568 airstrikes鈥1 every 89 minutes.
In September, 48 percent of these strikes hit hospitals, universities, schools and other non-military targets.
The 探花精选 has 800 aid workers in Yemen who are tirelessly delivering vital aid to thousands of people like Yousra and her family. Learn more about the 探花精选鈥檚 work and how you can help.
Photos: Kellie Ryan/探花精选
