Yemen is facing a crisis. Civil war has raged since 2015 and devastated communities and leaving 70 percent of people without food security. Two million children are suffering from acute malnutrition as the country faces the biggest humanitarian crisis on the planet.
Right now, a new generation is being raised knowing nothing but war and famine.
With a high mortality rate from COVID-19, as well as the worst existing outbreak of cholera, Yemen is at a breaking point. Christians in Yemen are more vulnerable than ever, as the little emergency aid available is distributed by Islamic organisations and local mosques.
Yet hope is rising.
These are just some of the powerful stories from Yemeni Christians during the crisis.
Image: Men on a commercial street, Yemen.
Shoki*- “Believers Are A Blessing”
“There’s a lot of anxiety and frustration dominating my neighborhood. Many people around me are fearful and there is talk about the tragic ways people can die. In contrast to that, I’ve noticed how believers are a blessing as they talk about how to deal with this pandemic in a spirit of hope and a spirit of encouragement, prayer and following the measures of prevention and safe health practices.”
Image: A woman wearing a protective face mask, Yemen.
Maritza* – “It Has Brought Us Closer To Him”
“We pray for each other that the Lord Jesus will deliver us from this pandemic. It has brought us closer to Him and brought us closer together as His children in Yemen. We’re trying to spend more time withour children, teaching them and praying together and praying for the salvation of our people.”
Image: Shepherd guiding his flock of camels, Yemen.
Naser* – “We Will Pass Through This”
“I and many others are feeling the great pressure that the spread of this virus has added to our lives. But when I search, I find that we, believers, carry hope that helps us with the uncertainty that tomorrow will be better and that by the will of our Lord we will pass through this and all the anxieties and fears surrounding us.”
Image: Children in the streets of Sana’a, capital of Yemen.
Takia*- “We Feel His Mercy And Closeness”
“Even in light of the difficult conditions we’re facing, we feel that the Lord Jesus is with us. We feel His mercy and closeness to us. A lot of people complain about emptiness and boredom because of the need to stay home more, but I’ve found it to be a valuable opportunity to pray, draw closer to God and feel the affection of His hand outstretched to His children.”
Now is the time to reach out in love and bring hope to the body of Christ. You can make a difference in some of the hardest places on the hardest places on the planet.
*Names changed for security purposes.