The World Bank announced on Wednesday that it has approved a $150 million grant for Yemen to enhance the accessibility of basic services in health, nutrition, water, and sanitation for the citizens of the war-torn impoverished country. The bank stated that Yemen "the poorest country on the World Bank's list of countries in the Middle East and North Africa, has been experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world since 2015 due to the ongoing conflict."
It added that "by the end of 2020, the death toll in Yemen reached 233,000 people, with half of them dying due to food shortages or lack of health care, in addition to the lack of the essential infrastructure needed to provide these services." The statement warned that nearly "20 million Yemenis, out of a total population of about 29 million, suffer from food insecurity and the risk of malnutrition, with two-thirds unable to provide enough food and drink and access water and sanitation services."
Furthermore, it noted that the ongoing conflict in Yemen "has driven over 4 million people to flee their homes." The international financial institution highlighted in its statement that these crises have led to "a surge in infectious diseases, including diphtheria and dengue fever, across the country. With the emergence of the coronavirus, Yemen faces yet another challenge."
