Yemen: New Challenge for a War Torn Country - Helen Lackner

With the Civil War in Yemen recently marking its fifth year of ongoing conflict, many in the region and around the world fear that there is no end in sight. Dubbed one of the worst humanitarian disasters in history, the Civil War has taken the lives of thousands of Yemenis through violence and famine. Now, Yemen is confronting yet another crisis: COVID-19. Experts are voicing their concerns that Yemen’s already poor health and sanitation infrastructure will not be prepared to handle the onslaught of the disease. To further compound this problem, international humanitarian assistance for the country has been reduced, and there is no guarantee that the aid that does reach Yemen will be distributed to those who need it. Despite the seemingly endless nature of the conflict, in a shocking move, Saudi Arabia announced a ceasefire in early April, signaling a possible changing of the tides. It remains to be seen how the war will play out in the coming months, but there is no doubt that COVID-19 will pose an even grea