Sanaa, Yemen — A few years back, Mehdi Galeb Nasr made a living pushing an ice cream cart around the bustling streets of Sanaa. He supported his family by bringing joy to children. But life took a hard turn when his eyesight worsened. “Selling ice cream was my main income,” he says. His deteriorating vision began to affect his ability to navigate the busy streets. “Sometimes, I had to sleep outside until dawn just to find my way home.”
Now 52, Nasr lives with his wife and five daughters in a city grappling with a horrific humanitarian crisis. His situation is a reflection of a much larger issue in Yemen. Over 18 million people, more than half the population, face worsening hunger as the country descends further into turmoil.
According to the International Rescue Committee, recent projections indicate that an additional million people are at risk of life-threatening hunger. This dire situation has stemmed from years of conflict, rampant inflation, and international sanctions, which have decimated livelihoods and access to essential health services.
Yemen has become a hotspot for regional tensions as well. Recently, a southern Yemeni separatist group gained control over key areas, a move seen as a direct threat by Saudi Arabia, leading to military strikes. The situation continues to destabilize the region, impacting not just Yemen but its neighbors.
In the face of these challenges, Nasr has taken to collecting plastic bottles to support his family. He can no longer sell ice cream, and his new work provides a meager income, just over $1 a day—barely enough to feed his family of seven. “When there’s gas, we can cook rice, but it’s often not enough,” he says. On some nights, he and his family go to bed hungry.
The struggle for food has become a grim reality for many in Yemen. Like Nasr, countless households face the daily challenge of meeting basic needs. One of Nasr’s biggest fears is not knowing if he will have enough food for his daughters each day.
Recent studies indicate that the conflict, which has persisted since 2015, plays a significant role in this ongoing crisis. Expert assessments underscore the need for comprehensive humanitarian aid and policy changes to address food insecurity in Yemen.
Despite the overwhelming odds, the resilience of families like Nasr’s shines through. They continue to seek survival in dire circumstances, a testament to the human spirit’s endurance amid hardship.
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Features, Humanitarian Crises, Hunger, Middle East, Yemen
