The
United Nations is going to organize a virtual pledging event to raise around
US$3.85 billion (S$5.13 billion) to help avert a huge man-made famine in Yemen
which will be the worst ever the world would experience.
The
current degree of hunger in Yemen is terrible and is causing serious difficulty
for a large number of Yemenis. In July 2020, the UN's Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) expressed that Yemen is nearing a huge famine because of continuous
conflict, flash floods, locust attacks, and the outbreak and aftermaths of the
coronavirus pandemic.
Over
many years, the Houthi militia has driven a tremendous number of Yemenis and
forced numerous to flee to other regions where they can feel safe.
As
per the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, airstrikes, shelling, bombarding, and
fight with the Houthi military have destroyed the Yemeni people's lives.
The
Covid episode has moreover weakened the state of the Yemeni people brought
about an economic and currency collapse. It has also shaken the nation with a
sudden and overwhelming health crisis.
Currently,
about 80% of Yemenis need aid, with 400,000 children that are under five years
are seriously malnourished, the UN data stated. For most of its food, the
nation depends on imports that have been gravely disturbed throughout the years
due to conflict with warring parties.
According
to the Arab News reports,
Three weeks prior a 13-year-old girl weighed only nine kilograms (20 pounds)
when she was admitted to hospital due to acute malnutrition. Presently, she
weighs 15 kilograms.
UN
aid head Mark Lowcock warns that around 16 million Yemenis are going to face
hunger and starvation. In 2020, the UN got around half of US$3.4 billion in
assistance, which Lowcock stated was to a great extent because of more modest
contributions from Gulf nations. He urges them to pledge generously for this
year. On Friday, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that it would pledge
US$230 million during 2021.
According
to the United Nation World Food Program (WFP), the malnutrition rates among
females and children in Yemen continue to be the highest on the planet, with
1.2 million breastfeeding or pregnant ladies and 2.3 million children under
five years of age requiring proper treatment to fight acute malnutrition and
its related diseases.
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