Yemen

Life in Yemen

Yemen is located in the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman, the country was once known for its rich supplies of spices and coffee and its capital city, Sanaa, is believed to be one of the oldest populated cities on earth.

Yemen is currently ranked 183 out of 191 countries and territories in the Human Development Index (HDI).  Today, Yemen is described as one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. The country has been impacted by conflict since 2014, killing thousands of Yemeni people and displacing millions.  Years of war have led to unimaginable suffering among children and adults and the hostile environment has significantly hampered the distribution of aid to those who need it most.

Food insecurity remains an acute problem across the country with food consumption rates deteriorating at an “accelerating pace”. Five million are at immediate risk of famine, more than 15.5 million have insufficient food consumption and almost 21 million require humanitarian assistance. Food prices in Yemen continue to soar leaving few people able to afford basic food to eat.  

The ongoing war has torn many children away from education and coercion into child labour is a real threat. At least one in four schools has been destroyed, damaged or used for non-educational purposes. 

Mary's Meals in Yemen

Working together with our trusted partner Yemen Aid, Mary’s Meals now operates in four schools in the Al Mansoora district of Aden – an area home to a large number of internally displaced people (IDPs) and other marginalized populations who all experience high levels of hunger.

Together, we ensure that more than 4,500 children receive a daily meal of a filled pitta bread sandwich with fruit and or vegetables. The promise of a nutritious lunch encourages children back into the security of the classroom.