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Press Release 5/20/22: Yemen Famine Threat

Millions in Yemen are at threat of deadly famine. The country is suffering from an extreme wheat shortage.

Yemen is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises – the famine threat. It’s due to more than seven years of war, political unrest, and a stagnant economy. Of the 31.18 million people living there, approximately 17.4 million are hungry. This statistics doesn’t even include the ones suffering from disease, malnutrition, and injuries from violence. The situation is only getting worse.

When the war in Ukraine began in late February, Yemen lost over 30% of its wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia. In Yemen, more than 80% of the population already suffers from hunger. So, this was a devastating loss in a country.

Earlier this week, things went from bad to worse when India banned wheat exports entirely. The UN expressed solid concerns for war-torn countries that are already experiencing widespread hunger. Yemen is under an imminent famine threat.

According to a report of the Business Standard, “The US envoy said that Ukraine used to be a breadbasket for the developing world, but ever since Russia started blocking crucial ports and destroying civilian infrastructure and grain silos, hunger situations in Africa and the Middle East are getting even more dire.”

“16 million people in Yemen were already marching towards starvation prior to wheat shortage”, reported by The Guardian. Now, even more will join them.

UMR’s Emergency Plan

UMR has a multi-step approach to bringing immediate relief. We plan to create long-term sustainable solutions to help the people in Yemen.

First, we plan to deliver emergency food aid to the most vulnerable communities. We will focus on the elderly, mothers, children, and persons with disabilities. Our primary consideration is to help Yemen overcome the famine threat.

On a longer-term scale, we plan to rehabilitate the local markets. We will also construct and maintain water points for people and livestock. support local farmers through home gardens, drip irrigation units, and other services. Our ultimate goal is to stimulate the economy and provide sustainable food sources that will help Yemen’s famine threat so that the country can withstand the turmoil it is under.

Press Release 5/4/22: Palestine Relief Partnership

United Mission for Relief and Development (UMR) partners with MedGlobal for Palestine relief. It is a humanitarian organization that serves vulnerable people worldwide. MedGlobal provides free healthcare to refugees, displaced persons, and marginalized communities.

The Turmoil in Palestine:

(According to WFP) 32.7 percent of the population lacked access to a healthy diet. Women are more likely than males to experience food insecurity. 33.7 percent of women heading families reported food scarcity. The situation is more accurate in the Gaza strip, with 64 percent food insecurity.

Palestinians are extremely food insecure. They experience a large consumption gap and lack the resources. These gaps come from the lack of their fundamental requirements. such as food, housing, and clothes. Due to the continuous and protracted crisis, they have already used up most of their coping methods. Which leaves them unable to close the enormous consumption gap.

Years and years of violence have left people of Palestine in a devastating situation. Palestine continues to face significant obstacles –

A protracted conflict
Economic stagnation
Trade restrictions, and
Limited access to resources.

These obstacles bar them from achieving sustainable developments. Among these developments are ending hunger, ensuring food security, and improving nutrition.

Focus of Partnership:

The partnership focuses on facility-based healthcare services in Gaza. UMR and MedGlobal coordinate with the Ministry of Health to deploy healthcare professionals. This partnership aligns with UMR’s mission to address the dire healthcare needs in Gaza.

Approximately 1.5 million people in Gaza lack consistent access to healthcare. As a result, health benchmarks are deteriorating. 80% of Gazans are below the poverty line. Our objectives are to improve the health of the Palestinian people in Gaza and their quality of life. The nature of Palestine relief in Gaza comes in three categories:

1) Lack of protection and displacement;

2) Limited access to essential services; and

3) Erosion of resilience and preparedness.

Sufferings of people in Palestine:

As it stands, 55.7% of elderly patients in Gaza suffer from three or more diseases. Additionally, one-third of older individuals need access to healthcare services. The UMR and MedGlobal partnership expands healthcare and medical service outreach.

About UMR and MedGlobal:

UMR is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Its headquarter is in Washington, DC. The organization provides disaster relief and recovery services worldwide.

MedGlobal is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It focuses on providing life-saving care. The organization deploys local partners and medical providers with training and supplying hospitals.

UMR and MedGlobal aim to provide sustainable development as a Palestine relief program. Our prerogative is to make sure the civilians get proper access to healthcare and medical services.

Struggling to pay rent, Fatima endures the harsh winter in Jordan

Fatima came to Jordan from Homs, Syria with her 4 children and husband. Now she describes her new life as a refugee.

Life for Fatima and her family had become unbearable in war-torn Syria. After years of war and destruction, life as a refugee has brought them to Amman, Jordan, where she struggles to survive without a steady income.

Upon arrival in Amman, Fatima’s search to find a home for her family was difficult. Her husband’s unemployment coupled with the economic strains of being a refugee meant that they had to borrow money just to keep the electricity on and the water running. Without financial security, when Fatima’s children would take ill, they did not have the ability to see doctors for treatment or purchase needed medicine.

Even if I place 5 blankets on top of each other, my children will still not be warm because the blankets are so light.

Fatima was identified by UMR staff in Jordan as a potential beneficiary to receive support services based off of her vulnerability levels. She told UMR Jordan staff that her husband sometimes goes 3 months without a job opportunity, something commonly faced among displaced people.

There are nearly 25.9 million refugees in the world, over half of whom are under the age of 18. UMR works around the world to ensure that the most needy people are receiving essential daily basics to survive their difficult situations. Like Fatima and her husband, being a refugee family means that you cannot always ensure your next meal is provided, or that medical care is within reach when you need it the most.

For cases like Fatima, our UMR Jordan staff made sure they delivered a kerosene heater for her home, as well as warm blankets and jackets for her kids. Thank you to our generous donors who continue to allow us to bring smiles to children’s faces.

To learn more about our Winterization Campaign, click here.

Stories

Press Release 5/20/22: Yemen Famine Threat

UMR’s Emergency Plan

Press Release 5/4/22: Palestine Relief Partnership

The Turmoil in Palestine:

Focus of Partnership:

Sufferings of people in Palestine:

About UMR and MedGlobal:

Struggling to pay rent, Fatima endures the harsh winter in Jordan

Fatima came to Jordan from Homs, Syria with her 4 children and husband. Now she describes her new life as a refugee.

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