17 million Yemeni people are at risk of malnutrition, and the UN estimates that at least 130 Yemeni children die from hunger and disease every day.
17 million Yemeni people are at risk of malnutrition, and the UN estimates that at least 130 Yemeni children die from hunger and disease every day.
With the continuous deluge of heart-breaking news we face every day, is it any wonder that many of us choose to turn away from the terrible things happening around the world?
This is understandable; but for millions of people, avoiding atrocities is simply not an option. Yemeni people, who are facing what the UN describes as “the worst famine the world has seen in 100 years”, are crying out for our help – especially with the added threat of the coronavirus.
However harrowing it may be, we have a responsibility to listen and to help.
That’s why here at Penny Appeal, we’re sharing just one person’s story; the story of Jaber, a Yemeni father suffering from cancer, who we gifted a Food Pack. We may have got him through a difficult month, but we wish we could do more.
Jaber’s Story
“Yes, I know. This world is cruel. But was it meant to be this cruel?
We were leading a happy life, living peacefully, and minding our own business in our small village. Then this cursed war turned our life upside down and plunged us into a bitter and sad reality. We were forced to escape, leaving our house, and sweet memories of a beautiful place behind us.
We needed shelter for our shabby and tired bodies. We were housed in a school prepared as a makeshift camp for displaced families in Sana’a. But that wasn’t the end of our plight. Those responsible for the camp had changed their tune and asked us to leave and find a place on our own.
I found a small house to rent, but it is far too expensive for us. We have no income, we cannot get the necessary food and my health steeply declines. Days pass and we can’t get any help from anywhere.
Sometimes I find temporary work to feed my children who have dropped out of school and are wandering the streets, begging or offering their help in return for a measly amount of money.
I am a patient with cancer, and I find it incredibly hard to work now. I am on the verge of collapsing, waiting for my impending death. Without knowing I was crying silently; tears of despair were rolling down my cheeks.
Recently, I met Penny Appeal and their partner, The Humanitarian Forum. I opened the door of my house and there were some young people smiling at me and giving me instructions to go to a certain place to receive food. I fell on my knees, prostrating to The Almighty.
I thought this food will be given to me continuously, but it was only for one single time. Nevertheless, it was better than nothing. May Allah bring us glad tidings soon.”
Help People Like Jaber
A Food Pack will help Jaber’s family to survive another day, week, and month. But it will not solve their problems in this terrible war.
Thanks to the kindness of people like you, Penny Appeal has been able to provide over 80,000 Yemeni people with vital food and healthcare, Alhamdulillah. We are proud of all we have achieved together, but the situation in Yemen is heart-wrenching. 17 million Yemeni people are at risk of malnutrition, and the UN estimates that at least 130 Yemeni children die from hunger and disease every day. With the coronavirus threatening even more lives and preventing many from working or accessing food, our Yemeni sisters and brothers are at extreme risk.
As well as our emergency Food Packs, we are also working on sustainable food programmes in Yemen right now. We’ve recently given 100 Yemeni families – like Jaber’s – livestock to keep, so that they can enjoy and sell milk and eggs.
Life should never be as cruel as it is for the people of Yemen. If you do one thing today, choose to give extremely vulnerable people a way out of poverty and starvation.
Choose to support our Yemen Emergency appeal this Ramadan.
To learn more about Penny Appeal, click here.
To learn more about TMV’s Ramadan Campaign with Penny Appeal for our brothers and sisters in Syria, who are also suffering under a brutal and tragic war, click here.
