Back in February, we outlined some of the goals we’d like to accomplish this year in Yemen. Little did we know that within a few short weeks, a pandemic— COVID-19 — would start sweeping the country. Yemen was already facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 22M people in need of aid and 14M at risk of famine. Today, Yemen needs us more than ever.
Humanitarian relief efforts in YemenSince then, we have been hard at work. Thanks to the support of our donors and volunteers, between March and mid-June we:
- Distributed food baskets to 4,000 families, totaling 24,000 people across the country, specifically Sana’a, Hodeida, Hajjaa, Rada’a, Aden, Amraan, Saada, Aljawf, Almahweet, Dhamar, Ibb, Taiz, Raemah, and Lahj governorates. Food baskets were also distributed to cancer and kidney dialysis patients at Aljomhori Hospital and Kuwait Hospital.
- Provided financial support for over 350 orphans each month across the country — totaling 1,400 children allowances in four months. During Eid, we delivered Eid funds for purchasing gifts and Eid goodies to orphans in institutions.
- Launched two egg-laying hens projects. With this project, we are able to provide eggs, protein, and nourishment to families in need, as well as an opportunity for income through sales of extra eggs and offsprings. We launched these projects in Saada and Sana’a, distributing 950 hens and 100 roosters total. Collectively, both of these projects will benefit 100 needy families, each of which will receive 9-10 egg-laying hens and one rooster.
- Started an income generation project in Hudaydah distributing sheep to 20 families.
COVID-19 response efforts in Yemen
With the COVID-19 outbreak, we have also shifted our efforts to help on that front. Yemen’s population is estimated to be around 29 million. Similar to other countries across the world, COVID-19 test kits are limited. Yemen, however, has the worst situation with only 31 test kits per one million citizens. Additionally, an estimated 60 healthcare workers on the frontline have died while trying to save the lives of others due to lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Yemen, we:
- Delivered 500 COVID-19 test kits to Sana’a and another 500 test kits to Aden in February — becoming the first organization to do so.
- Sent an additional 960 COVID-19 test kits, 1,600 gloves, as well as PCR tubes, pipet tips, and other medical equipment to some of the hardest-hit areas, including Aden, Hodeida, Mukalla, Sayon, Sana’a, and Taiz.
- Donated 10 air conditioning units to a COVID-19 isolation center in Hodeida.
Thank you for your donations
Our relief efforts over the last few months would have not been possible without your help. Thank you for your donations and your support for Yemen.