Goto main content

4th anniversary of the conflict in Yemen: Civilians: victims of the fighting and of explosive remnants of war

Emergency Explosive weapons Rehabilitation
Yemen

In Yemen, the widespread use of explosive weapons has created high levels of contamination which, even after the fighting, poses an additional threat to civilians.

The city of Sana'a heavily damaged by bombings

The city of Sana'a heavily damaged by bombings | © ISNA Agency / HI

An asymmetric conflict

The conflict in Yemen is asymmetrical, similar to those in other countries (Syria, Iraq, etc.), where the war opposes on the one hand a sophisticated army - in this case the international Saudi-led coalition - conducting extensive, blanket bombing raids, often in urban areas; and on the other hand an insurgency led by Houthis rebels, characterised by the use of mines, the poor man’s weapon. Caught in the middle, it is the civilian population that pays the highest price: 90% of the victims of explosive weapons are civilians.

 

Mass bombing

The fighting has mainly taken place in urban environments, the numerous indiscriminate attacks often taken civilian victims. This has resulted in mass population displacements as people flee the fighting, a local economy brought to its knees, and a total lack of essential services. Yemen has been plunged into chaos.

Fifty percent of its health infrastructure is no longer operational, complicating access to health care and leaving the remaining hospitals overrun. At the same time the medical needs are immense.

 

Record levels of contamination

The bombing and use of mines have created huge levels of contamination, in particular in the west of the country. This is a scourge for the local inhabitants. Yemen is now one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world.

This contamination constitutes a permanent threat for the population. The presence of explosive remnants of war and mines leaves whole swathes of land unusable: certain fields can no longer be used to grow crops due to the presence of bombs, certain roads cannot be used due to mines, certain schools are inaccessible…

 

A long-term legacy

This contamination is complex and diverse: observers have found old landmines produced in Belgium, China and Eastern Germany, improvised explosive devices, sometimes mass produced, remnants of missiles, shells and sub-munitions… The impact on the local population is catastrophic. Once the fighting is over, long and complex mine clearance operations will be required in the urban areas requiring reconstruction, in amongst the rubble. This will have a huge impact on the reconstruction process and the country’s economic recovery. Yemen will suffer from this deadly legacy for decades to come.

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Jahanzeb Hussain

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

In the Blink of an Eye
© HI
Explosive weapons Rehabilitation

In the Blink of an Eye

Returning to your village in Syria can be life-threatening. Osama, 22, stepped on a mine when he entered an abandoned house. He lost his leg.

In the DRC, the consequences of war on children's health
© E. N’Sapu / HI
Health Rehabilitation

In the DRC, the consequences of war on children's health

Fleeing violence leads to a loss of income and resources. To limit the effects of malnutrition on children, HI supports families. Ladislas, Divin's father, shares his story.

As mass starvation spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away
© A. Osama / HI
Emergency Protect vulnerable populations Rights Supporting the Displaced Populations/Refugees

As mass starvation spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away

As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.