Yemen

Water Shortages & Lagging Development

Yemen suffers from acute water shortages which threaten agriculture, economic development and the survival of the population.

One-third of Yemen’s population lives without access to an improved water source and less than half benefit from improved sanitation facilities, according to the United Nations’ 2007/2008 Human Development Report (UNHDR).

Studies by the Yemeni government show that 90 percent of the country’s water is used for agriculture, but 40 percent of this is wasted through inefficient irrigation.

Experts predict that entire sections of the rural economy could disappear within a generation due to the lack of a sustainable water supply.

Illiteracy and lack of education have also hurt Yemen because most of the rural population does not know the measures they can take to prevent water contamination and curtail the spread of waterborne diseases.

In 2006, Islamic Relief responded by launching a water and health program meant to provide marginalized communities with access to safe drinking water and to improve the standard of public health facilities.

Thousands of Yemenis have benefitted and continue to benefit everyday, as Islamic Relief continues implementing this ongoing project.

Please donate today to help Islamic Relief continue providing such crucial services to people around the world.

Poverty & Unemployment

One of the oldest inhabited regions in the world, Yemen is also one of the poorest.

More than 40 percent of Yemenis live under the national poverty line, with more than 45 percent living on less than $2 a day, according to the UNHDR.

35 percent of the labor force is unemployed, according to the US Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook’s most current estimates.

Islamic Relief needs your support to help Yemen’s people.  Please donate today to help Islamic Relief in their quest to alleviate poverty around the world.

Islamic Relief in Yemen

Islamic Relief began working in Yemen in 1998, implementing seasonal Ramadan and Udhiyah/Qurbani food distributions.

Over 25,000 people have benefitted from Islamic Relief’s services in Yemen.

Striving to implement comprehensive projects that would have a long-term impact on Yemen’s development, Islamic Relief registered its Yemeni field office in 2003.

Today, Islamic Relief projects in Yemen include water and health programs, orphans support and partnership promotion between Muslim organizations and other aid agencies working in Yemen.