Yemen is the scene of the world's worst humanitarian disaster, according to the UN. But the growing church is active and helping the vulnerable. By distributing rainwater harvesting systems and emergency aid, Yemeni Christians can give dignity and help to the poor in the midst of a disaster. This gives the church a voice in society as it reaches out to those in need, and hostility towards Christians can be broken down.
From our project partner, we have received these testimonials of people who have been helped. One of the couples who have been helped is Mariam and Ahmed.
Mariam no longer has to walk two hours for water
They live with their children and their parents. Ahmed often travels to other cities for his work so he can provide for his family so they have what they need. It's Mariam's responsibility to take care of the family, clean and cook. This meant that she had to fetch water every day. Mariam was happy when she got a water tank for their house. "It will make a huge difference for me and my family that I no longer have to walk two hours every day back and forth to the nearest well!" she exclaimed. "I will have time to look after my children. And my husband can go to work without worrying about where we will get water every day."
It will make a huge difference for me and my family that I no longer have to walk two hours every day back and forth to the nearest well! - Mariam
Ahmed was unemployed as an internally displaced person, but gets food and an earning opportunity
Ahmed and his family had to flee their home because of the war. Now they live with three other families in a new area. There are no job opportunities for internal refugees in this area, so Ahmed had no work. The local relief team provides food for the hungry family and helped Ahmed finally find a way to earn a living by selling vegetables at a local market to provide for his family. Now he is happy and the family shares the food with the other three refugee families who also need work. Stories don't always end so well, as too many refugees from the war is a tragedy that is still unfolding.
Alfatah children can now get a better education - because of the rainwater harvesting project
Abdu Alfatah is an elderly man with five children. Every day he looks for work so he can provide for his
Thank you to everyone who stands with the vulnerable in Yemen.
Facts: Desperate shortage of water and food
- Of the country's 30 million inhabitants, 18 million are in desperate need of water, according to Unicef
- 12.9 million people are hungry and in need of food rations. 3.3 million women and children need special diets, according to the UN Food Program.
- From October 2016 to April 2021, an estimated 2.5 million people have had cholera and 3997 have died from the disease, according to reliefweb.int.
- In 2021, donors to the Danish European Mission ensured that 4752 people received food. Of these, 2851 received food once a month, while the remaining 1901 received food once or more.
