The Yemeni civil war had left more than 50,000 civilians dead or injured in the past 10 years, causing severe humanitarian crisis in the country, according to the latest data released by the Houthi group on Wednesday.
In 2014, a conflict broke out between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group, and the latter took over the Yemeni capital of Sanaa in September. In March 2015, a number of Arab states launched the a joint operation coded "Decisive Storm" against Houthis. Since then, the country has fallen into a state of war.
The data showed that the war has killed 15,885 people and injured 34,594 others in the war.
Meanwhile, 165 medical facilities were destroyed, and 376 others were partially damaged in the war, with over 55 percent of medical institutions shut down, one pharmaceutical factory and two oxygen plants destroyed, and 100 ambulances scrapped.
"The war has had a huge impact on every aspect of life in Yemen, especially the medical field. The shortage of fuel supply has exacerbated the hardship in medical services. Due to the difficulty in operating the Sanaa International Airport, drug imports are obstructed, and many patients in urgent need of treatment are unable to go abroad for medical treatment," said Anis al-Asbahi, spokesman of the Houthi-run Ministry of Health and Environment.
The war has also left many children malnourished and stunted, and many pregnant women suffering health problems in Yemen, while some diseases that had disappeared have resurged in the country. Meanwhile, the shortage of medicine and the large-scale loss of medical staff have further exacerbated the medical crisis.
After the Houthis' takeover of Sanaa, Yemen presents a stark picture of north-south division. The Houthis control most of the northern areas, including Sanaa and the strategic Red Sea port of Hodeidah. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, led by the Presidential Leadership Council since April 2022, mainly controls the southern and eastern regions, with Aden serving as the temporary capital.
Over 50,000 civilians fall victim to decade of civil war in Yemen: Houthis group
Over 50,000 civilians fall victim to decade of civil war in Yemen: Houthis group
Over 50,000 civilians fall victim to decade of civil war in Yemen: Houthis group
Over 50,000 civilians fall victim to decade of civil war in Yemen: Houthis group
Chinese expatriates and residents in Myanmar have volunteered to coordinate large-scale relief operations to communities affected by a devastating earthquake in Mandalay, the second largest city in the country.
The 7.5-magnitude quake, which struck central Myanmar on Saturday, has left 1,700 killed, 3,400 injured and 300 missing, according to the Sunday statement from the country's State Administration Council.
Chinese nationals residing in Myanmar swiftly organized aid networks, establishing over a dozen volunteer groups and fund-raising channels to deliver critical supplies to hard-hit regions, including Mandalay.
Relief materials, including drinking water, food, and medical supplies, have been gathered in Yangon, the capital, which serves as the main hub for collecting donations. Local residents began donating these items on Saturday, with plans to transport them to disaster zones as early as Monday.
Many overseas Chinese living in Yangon drove more than 10 hours overnight to deliver supplies, such as antiseptics, gloves and N95 masks, to rescue teams in Mandalay. Many restaurants offered free meals to rescue workers.
The journey to Mandalay has been challenging due to severe damage to roads, with some routes taking more than 10 hours instead of the usual seven.
"Normally it takes seven or eight hours, but now it's a detour that could cost a dozen hours. We didn't suffer big loss. We just do some delivery errands, the least we can contribute. Others have made relatively great contributions. We didn't help much. What's important is to get the supplies there in time," said Li Chengyuan, head of a Rangoon-based logistics company.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the Yangon market remains well-stocked, allowing for the procurement of necessary items at normal prices.
Nevertheless, essential services such as power supply and communications in disaster-hit areas like Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw have not yet returned to normal, complicating rescue efforts further.
Large rescue machinery is still struggling to enter disaster-hit areas due to the poor road condition between Yangon and Mandalay.
Relief supplies were rushed to the earthquake-stricken areas. On Saturday, China's Yunnan Province launched an emergency response mechanism to prepare tents, blankets, foldable beds and other relief supplies, with the first batch of supplies arriving in Myanmar on Saturday by air.
Chinese volunteers channel relief material shipment to quake-hit Mandalay
