Hakeem Asser stands near his tent in the settlement for displaced families, where he lives and also works with Oxfam to promote good health and sanitation, with a focus on how to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Haafedh Almattabi / Oxfam

Since the war in Yemen escalated in 2015, many areas have been on the brink of famine. The price of food has increased, and some basics are now difficult to find. About 80 percent of Yemen's population of 30 million are depending on humanitarian assistance for survival right now.

"I can see them during the night, worried, sad, and totally unready to face another day," says Hakeem Asser, a volunteer public health promoter in Yemen. "I try to calm them down and tell them it will be alright."

Further effects caused by COVID-19 could be disastrous: Oxfam is estimating that globally between 6,000 and 12,000 people per day could die from hunger linked to the social and economic impacts of the pandemic before the end of the year – perhaps more than will die each day from the disease by that point. Countries in conflict like Yemen are among the most vulnerable.

Oxfam and others – from the UN to small local organizations – are doing all they can to help these families. Oxfam helped more than 2.5 million people in Yemen last year with clean water, hygiene items such as soap, latrines and repair of sewage systems, as well as cash and some assistance for small businesses.

Your support as a member of the Oxfam community allows us to provide these essential services. In Yemen, Oxfam is working with other humanitarian organizations to provide aid to vulnerable communities impacted by food scarcity and COVID-19.

Read more about our ongoing work to combat Yemen's public health crisis here.

Now, with COVID-19 looming, Asser says even the ways families had adapted to find food are no longer options. Families are afraid to leave their communities to find food and meet other urgent needs, such as seeking medical care for the virus.

"People here are aware of the virus and how it has been killing many people around the world," Asser says. "They are terrified. They all think they could be infected, and they can't afford to get sick or die."

Oxfam is urgently raising funds to help people in Yemen, and advocating for a nation-wide cease fire and inclusive peace talks. Oxfam also continues to support the hygiene promotion and education work Asser and others are doing in Amran.

"All I can say is that we are doing our best, and we are confident in God's mercy," Asser says.

Thanks to dedicated supporters like you, Oxfam and partners are responding to the challenges of hunger and public health in Yemen.

With your help, Oxfam can provide cash assistance, food baskets, and hygiene supplies to families in need. We are also urging the government to resume humanitarian aid programs in Northern Yemen. You make our continued commitment to fighting poverty around the world possible.

Want to contribute to the kind of work that tackles the root causes of poverty, hunger, and injustice – and changes lives around the world? Our work is only possible because of the support of people like you. Make a donation today.