Yemen Crisis Appeal: A Call for Compassion and Action This Ramadan

Assalaamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuhu, In the spirit of Ramadan, a time of reflection, prayer, and community, we reach out to you with a pressing humanitarian plea. Yemen, a nation with deep historical and spiritual significance, stands on the precipice of catastrophe. The United Nations has declared the situation in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis: A Snapshot

• 21.2 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid.
• 9.9 million children, nearly four-fifths of the population, are in dire need.
• 3.2 million individuals were displaced within their own country.
• 19.3 million people require health care and protection services.
• 14.1 million face severe hunger.
• 14.8 million lack basic healthcare, with 8.8 million in critically underserved areas.
• Only 45% of health facilities are operational.
• Destruction of vital infrastructure, leaving children vulnerable and without education.

Yemen's Legacy and Our Collective Duty

Yemen is not just a country in crisis but a land of profound historical and spiritual importance. Mentioned in several Surahs of the Quran, its people are intertwined with the very fabric of Islam, tracing back to the roots of the Arab world and directly connected to our Beloved Prophet (saw). This Ramadan, we are called upon to support and uplift the people of Yemen, honouring their critical place in our shared history and faith.

How You Can Help: READ Foundation's Commitment

As a global ambassador for the READ Foundation, I've witnessed firsthand our impactful work with Syrian refugees and orphans in Pakistan. With a registered office and active operations in Yemen, we're committed to delivering:

• Food and clean water
• Vital medical aid
• Educational support
• Safe spaces for children
• Psycho-social support

This comprehensive aid package, designed for immediate and long-term relief, is not just an intervention. It is a beacon of hope, ensuring children can learn, play, and thrive safely.

Educate, Empower, Elevate: Our Vision for Yemen

Education and School Rehabilitation

In the shadow of a humanitarian crisis, nearly 8.5 million Yemeni children require educational assistance. Our project targets the rehabilitation of schools and the enhancement of learning opportunities, ensuring children have access to safe and protective environments. Through this, we aspire to mitigate dropout rates and foster a brighter future for the youth of Yemen.

"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Ibn Majah)

Food Security: Nourishing Bodies and Minds

With food insecurity at unprecedented levels, our Breakfast Clubs and Community Food Baskets aim to address malnutrition and hunger. By providing daily nutritious meals and monthly food baskets, we strive to stabilize attendance and improve concentration, impacting not only the children but their families and the broader community.

"And feed with food the needy, the orphan, and the prisoner, for love of Him." (Quran 76:8)

Child Protection and Well-being

Amidst violence and displacement, the need for protective services and mental health support has never been greater. Our integrated approach includes safeguarding training, psychosocial support, and recreational activities, offering a beacon of hope and resilience to the children of Yemen.

"Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones, or acknowledge the rights of our elders, is not one of us." (Abu Dawood)

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Access to clean water and sanitation facilities is a fundamental human right, yet profoundly scarce in Yemen. Our WASH initiatives focus on the rehabilitation of facilities in schools, ensuring they are gender-sensitive and accessible, aiming to reduce disease and encourage attendance, especially among girls and disabled children.

"Cleanliness is half of faith." (Muslim)

Vocational Training and Income Generation

Empowering the youth and women through vocational training and income generation projects is crucial for sustainable development. By providing skills training and support, we enable individuals to build livelihoods, contribute to their communities, and regain dignity.

"The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind." (Dāraqutni)

Your Support Can Make a Difference

As we observe the sacred month of Ramadan, let us embody the spirit of generosity and compassion. Your donations can help rebuild lives, restore hope, and secure a better future for the children and families of Taiz, Yemen.

"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills." (Quran 2:261)

Together, we can Educate, Empower, and Elevate the vulnerable communities of Yemen. Please, lend your support to the READ Foundation's Yemen Ramadan 2024 Campaign.

For donations and more information, visit www.readfoundation.org.uk or contact us directly at 0161 224 3334.