In Yemen, over seven years of intense conflict has left more than 20 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The COVID-19 pandemic has only aggravated an already dire situation, with families facing unemployment, internal displacement, food insecurity and a lack of access to shelter, sanitation, healthcare and education. More than 2 million children are currently out of school. Children like 12-year-old Hamas*.
"Last year I stopped going to school,” Hamas tells War Child. “My father used to earn a good salary every month but because of coronavirus, his salary was cut and we could no longer afford the basic things we needed, including my mother's medicines."
This story is all too common for families in Yemen, who must place daily survival over their children’s education.
Despite these difficulties, Hamas has been able to return to school this year thanks to support from War Child. We provided her with a school bag, notebooks and stationery as well as clothes.
Thanks to War Child, I can go to school now. It is wonderful and there are many fun games, Every day, I play with my friend, Souad*, we draw and play with dolls.Hamas, Yemen.
War Child also provided Hamas’ family with food baskets.
"I study in the morning and help my father to work on the farm and shepherd the sheep in the afternoon. My father bought me four sheep and encourages me to raise these sheep. I also have three chickens. I built a small house for them next to our house. I love our chickens, I get eggs every day."
Help support children like Hamas
*Names changed to protect identity.
