Office Raids and Arrests Devastate Aid Workers in Yemen: Days of Tears Follow Tragic Events

According to Getty Images, approximately half of Yemen’s population requires humanitarian assistance, including nearly 10 million children.

Hanaa began her job several months ago and discovered “drawers and doors smashed” upon arriving at work. Her boss was surrounded by security personnel, computers, phones, cameras, and documents were confiscated; subsequently, the organization’s bank account became frozen after Hanaas supervisor was detained. She works for a U.S.-funded non-governmental organization (NGO) in Yemen that focuses on women’s empowerment and problem-solving through negotiation.

The country’s civil war, which has been ongoing for more than a decade and resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, has made life increasingly dangerous for NGO workers. In recent months, 24 UN employees, along with other local and international NGOs’ staff members have been detained by Houthi rebels. The arrests that occurred in January have further intensified fear among humanitarian aid workers.

Currently, the situation limits their freedom of movement significantly. As a result, several organizations, including the UN, are scaling back operations due to concerns over security and safety for personnel on the ground. This could lead to severe consequences for those most affected by Yemen’s ongoing conflict.

About 10 years ago, Amal lost her home due to the country’s escalating civil war. Now a mother of nine in a northern camp filled with internally displaced people, she struggles immensely. She alone supports her large family amidst acute asthma afflicting her husband and harsh living conditions inside their worn-out plastic tent.

“If this supply line provided by NGOs is cut, my children might die,” Amal tells us emotionally over the phone. “We have no jobs, no income, nothing.”