Reclaiming the Narrative: Yemen

Yemen is a country located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a long history, beautiful old buildings, and a unique culture. The capital, Sana’a, is one of the oldest cities in the world. But today, instead of being known for its history and culture, Yemen is sadly known for a long and terrible war that has brought a lot of pain, destruction, and suffering to its people and their way of life.

Since 2014, many people in Yemen have had to leave their homes to escape violence and danger. The main reason is the civil war between the Houthis rebels and the Yemeni government. Other countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran also became involved, and the war has caused great damage across the country, affecting millions of innocent people.

The fighting has destroyed homes, hospitals, roads, and schools. The economy has collapsed, and people are struggling to find food, clean water, shelter, and medical help. Life has become very hard, especially for children, women, and the elderly. The United Nations says Yemen is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Another reason people are leaving is that the health and education systems no longer work. Many hospitals have been bombed or shut down completely. Schools are closed in many places, and teachers have no pay. Parents feel there is no future for their children if they stay, so they try to move to other countries even if the journey is risky and uncertain.

In the end, Yemenis are not leaving because they want to—they are leaving because they have no choice. I’ve heard stories from people who lost everything: their homes, jobs, and even family members. These people just want safety, peace, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Their stories remind us that behind every news report, there are real people who deserve care, understanding, and hope for a better future.

This article was written by Abdullah Salem, edited by John Shotton. Photography credits for this article can be found in our magazine.