Sourced fact
The News
Yemeni twins, Raghad and Raad, are fighting for their lives just seven weeks after birth, struggling to survive in the harsh conditions caused by the ongoing civil war in Yemen. The twins were born in the Khaboob area in southwestern Yemen, where their family was forced to flee due to bombardment and airstrikes by drones. After three days of walking, the family reached the city of Aden, where they found the necessary medical care at the Al-Sadah Hospital.
According to the twins' father, Bajash Ali Sagier Hasan, the journey was extremely difficult, as it was hard to find transportation. Upon arrival at the hospital, the twins were in critical condition, described by the doctor as being "nothing but bones." They were diagnosed with severe malnutrition, a condition as dangerous as a gunshot wound.
The food crisis in Yemen is worsening due to the intensifying fighting between government forces and the Houthis. According to the United Nations, around 800,000 people lack access to emergency aid, while more than 250,000 people have been displaced due to the collapse of the unofficial ceasefire over the summer. Civilians in the city of Taiz, which has been cut off by the Houthis, face a severe threat due to rising prices.
The twins' father, Bajash, is trying to secure the necessary medical care for his family but faces difficulties due to a lack of funding and medical equipment. Aisha Rajab, supervisor of the ward, expresses empathy for the affected families as she herself experienced the same situation in 2018. She managed to secure one bed for the twins despite the scarcity of available beds in the ward.
The hospital faces significant challenges in providing medical care due to a lack of funding and medical equipment. Dr. Noor Mohammed says she loses some patients due to these harsh conditions. She tries her best to provide necessary care for needy children but suffers from a lack of basic resources like ventilators and oxygen.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, the story of the twins reflects the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where civilians struggle to obtain medical care and food due to the ongoing war. The United Nations reports that around 800,000 people in Yemen are no longer able to access basic humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of the population.
In a broader context, the ongoing conflicts in Yemen exacerbate the food and public health crises. Children, in particular, suffer from severe malnutrition, with the World Food Programme estimating that around half a million Yemeni children will be affected by this condition this year.
It is also noteworthy that the lack of funding, medication, and medical resources intensifies the difficulty of providing necessary medical care, increasing the risk of mortality among children and pregnant women.
