More than 2,000 families have been displaced since fighting between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen’s flashpoint province of Marib reignited at the start of 2021.
Yemenis of all ages have been left homeless. For some of those displaced in the latest round of fighting, this is not the first time.
Saeed Ahmed Salim Al Ashouar, 71, has a family of 16. He has been displaced for a second time.
“For three continuous days, we travelled to escape the fighting, fearing for our safety,” he said. “Now we live in houses made of wooden rods. Other people, too. We have nothing.”
With resources so scarce, there is a risk that dealing with illness or emergencies could be fatal.
“One of our houses caught fire while we were cooking,” he said. “Many things in the house were destroyed, including essentials, blankets and other things we use to keep warm.”
Five people from his family share a single blanket to fight the winter cold.
Aid on camelback
Mr Al Ashouar is one of thousands whose lives have been upended by the war, forced to seek refuge in Yemen’s remotest deserts.
He and countless others rely on camels and donkeys to transport aid between houses over difficult desert terrain and long distances.
Financed by the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid operation, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) supplies some of the assistance.
“It took us more than six to eight hours to reach some of the areas by car to provide them with assistance,” the UNFPA’s Ghamdan Mofarreh told The National.
Without phone coverage, satellite imagery or internet, not everybody in need can be found.
The UNFP works with local partners including the Yemen Alkhair for Relief and Development Foundation (Yard) to distribute aid.
“Many of the displaced live in tents. Their only source is livestock, but even that was impacted because of their displacement and the scarcity of grazing grounds,” Yard executive director Jamal Bahaj told The National.
“The closest place to shop for supplies is 300 kilometres away, through a rough road of high dunes. It is difficult to reach except by pick-up truck.”
Drinking water supplies are 10 to 20km away, along a path mired in danger.
“There are unsafe routes with landmines between Al Harg and Al Yattamah (where some supplies are) as well as active front lines,” said Mr Bahaj.
The coalition has made significant gains in recent days in Marib, which could lead to further victories in the north of the country, where the rebels have a stronghold.
However, civilians are still bearing the brunt of the violence. Five people, including at least three civilians, were killed on Wednesday and 23 others injured when Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile at Marib, a medical source said.
More than four million people have been displaced in Yemen since the war escalated in 2015 after the Houthi rebels took over the capital Sanaa, prompting an intervention by the Saudi-led coalition to support the internationally recognised government.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
More on animal trafficking
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe