Cruel price of the Houthis’ war
More than 14 million in Yemen are now facing starvation
HODEIDAH // Saida Ahmad Baghili, 18, sits on a hospital bed in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, her emaciated frame stark evidence of the malnutrition caused by Yemen’s civil war.
Ms Baghili arrived at Al Thawra hospital on Saturday. She is bedridden and unable to eat, surviving on a diet of juice, milk and tea.
“The problem is malnutrition because of her financial situation and the war situation,” said nurse Asma Al Bhaiji.
The 18-year-old is one of more than 14 million people, more than half of Yemen’s population, who are short of food, with much of the country on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations.
Her picture is a reminder of the humanitarian crisis in the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country where at least 10,000 people have been killed in fighting between pro-government forces – backed by the Saudi-led coalition – and the Iran-allied Houthi rebels.
Ms Baghili is from the village of Shajn, about 100 kilometres from Hodeidah, and worked with sheep before developing signs of malnutrition five years ago, said her aunt, Saida Ali Baghili.
“She was fine, she was in good health, there was nothing wrong with her – and then she got sick,” said Ms Ali Baghili.
“She has been sick for five years. She can’t eat. She says her throat hurts.”
Although Ms Baghili was ill before the war began, her condition deteriorated when fighting broke out in March last year.
The war, in which the Houthis have taken over large parts of the country between September 2014 and March last year, is damaging the lives of Yemenis in other ways, too.
With travel severely restricted by the fighting, thousands of people inside and outside the country have been blocked from entering or leaving.
“There are thousands of cases – students, patients, passengers and many others cannot travel,” said Sanaa airport chief, Khaled Al Shayef. One student blocked from leaving is Abdulsalam Khaled. He is unable to pursue an Eng- lish-language studies master’s degree in India despite being awarded a scholarship.
Now the 34- year- old is stuck in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, lamenting his bad luck.
“Because the airport is closed, I’m stuck and can’t travel,” he said, showing his scholarship documents.
Sanaa international airport was shut on August 9 when the coalition resumed air raids on the city after the last round of peace talks in Kuwait collapsed.
It reopened days later but only for humanitarian flights.
“There are other airports in Yemen I could have flown from,” said Mr Al Shayef, “but unfortunately we can’t reach them because of security problems.”