Yemen's Eid is sad... poverty, hunger, and raids

Yemenis are celebrating Eid al-Fitr amidst dire humanitarian and living conditions, as the war enters its tenth year. The holiday has transformed from a joyful occasion into a period of suffering, amid worsening economic challenges and new crises that were unfamiliar before the outbreak of fighting.

The suffering is spreading across most Yemeni regions, making the joy of Eid seem incomplete this year. This is due to the mounting burdens of living and the dire economic crisis. This coincides with an escalation in US airstrikes on areas under Houthi control, following the group's continued attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, amid fears that the country could slide into a new wave of escalation.

Meanwhile, the suspension of a third of UN aid is exacerbating the crisis. This is compounded by rising prices and a deterioration in purchasing power due to the unprecedented decline in the value of the Yemeni riyal, a sharp banking split between areas controlled by the government and those controlled by the Houthi group, and a sharp decline in salaries that are insufficient to meet basic needs, including Eid necessities such as clothing and food.

Yemeni testimonies

The Independent Arabia met with a number of residents in the capital, Sana'a, and the city of Al-Khokha in Al-Hodeidah Governorate to assess their conditions ahead of Eid. Their testimonies reflected ongoing concerns about living conditions.

Amer Al-Muntasir, who works in a clothing store in Sana'a, says, "The joy he used to experience during Eid has disappeared since the beginning of the war." He adds, "Eid will not return until the country emerges from the cycle of war and conflict, when salaries are paid, and a unified government is formed to govern a unified country. Now, this is not an Eid, but an occasion that brings more sadness than joy to citizens."

In Al-Khokha, western Yemen, the situation is not much different. Youssef Ghlaisi says, "The Eid celebrations are very minimal, and the joy is incomplete due to the war and poverty." He adds, "Many organizations have halted their support, which has increased people's suffering. Citizens can barely make ends meet and cannot afford to buy Eid clothes."

Ahmed Salem said, "The situation is tragic. The currency has deteriorated, prices have risen, and we can no longer afford to buy clothes for our children. Prices are high everywhere."

Ishraq Omar said, "The joy is not complete without bringing family and friends together, but the high costs of transportation and expensive clothing prevent that, especially for families with many children and no good source of income."

Market stagnation

In the markets, stagnation seems to be the order of the day. Sultan Jaber, owner of a home appliance store in Al-Khokha, says, "The economic situation has cast a shadow over the market. Opportunities are nonexistent, and there's no sales activity. We call on the state to intervene to curb the currency's decline and provide Eid clothing for the poor."

Despite this reality, some citizens see the holiday as an opportunity to restore social relations. Abu Bakr Youssef Al-Qadi says, "I try to welcome the holiday with joy, to maintain family ties, and to bring joy to others, despite the harsh circumstances."

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen tops the list of crises globally, with more than 21 million Yemenis in need of humanitarian aid, including 9 million threatened by famine, the majority of whom are children and women, while more than 5 million children suffer from malnutrition.

In a previous interview with The Independent Arabia, humanitarian affairs researcher Mohammed Al-Maqrami warned of an imminent famine that has begun to appear in various Yemeni governorates, as the humanitarian situation deteriorates from Phase 4 (emergency) to Phase 5 (famine). He noted that a third of UN aid has been halted, with 4 million beneficiaries excluded by the beginning of 2025 due to a lack of funding and restrictions imposed by some parties to the conflict on humanitarian relief workers.

Source: Independent Arabia