80% of Yemen’s population needs emergency assistance.
In Yemen, a ceasefire allows international humanitarian aid to reach the population. But Christians often miss it.
Since 2014, the Houthi rebels and the government have clashed, setting Yemen on fire and in bloodshed. 80% of the population needs urgent humanitarian assistance. The ceasefire imposed to allow international humanitarian aid to reach the population was renewed in early June for an additional two months. But Christians, who are discriminated against because of their faith, do not benefit from it.
Excluded from distribution
In Yemen, the population is 99% Muslim and almost all Christians convert to Islam. Humanitarian aid sent by the international community is channeled either by mosques, or by local NGOs, or by local staff of international NGOs.
When distribution occurs in mosques, Christians are excluded. Because even though their faith remains a secret, the fact that they do not attend the mosque excludes them from the list of beneficiaries.
When distribution is done through NGOs, both local and international, staff do not allow those who are outside Islam to receive assistance. In Yemen, apostasy is punishable by death.
very vulnerable
For Muslim converts to Christianity, appear to receive distributed emergency aid exposing them. This increases their vulnerability. Many live their faith in secret. If their faith is exposed, beyond discrimination, they risk their lives.
In Yemen, more than 95% of Christians are of Muslim background. The country’s constitution declares Islam as the state religion and laws are based on Sharia, Islamic law. Evangelism, talking about your faith is illegal. Muslims do not have the right to change their religion and those who leave Islam face the risk of the death penalty.
