The Red Sea War - Militarization of Water and Youth Unemployment

The Red Sea crisis has compounded the existing problems in Yemen, a country already suffering from the scourge of conflict and war since 2015. This has had a direct impact on livelihoods and food security, further deepening poverty and unemployment. Famine has emerged in several areas. The humanitarian response was functioning adequately until the emergence of the Covid-19 virus, which drastically worsened the situation. The situation deteriorated further, and suffering increased, especially among the fragile and vulnerable classes of Yemeni society. International support for the humanitarian response over the past four years has fallen short of the plans set by OCHA and humanitarian workers. Moreover, the restrictions imposed by the United States on the government in Sana'a deprived the most vulnerable groups in need of support in various sectors, the most important of which are food security, nutrition, health, and livelihood enhancement. This also resulted in job losses for many young people working in the humanitarian response.

"The situation has become increasingly dire," said Asim (pseudonym), a Yemeni aid worker. "My team of 85 and I lost our jobs due to funding cuts related to the Red Sea crisis. This directly impacted over 30,000 children and breastfeeding mothers who were receiving vital assistance through our preventive and therapeutic feeding program in ten impoverished areas."

Asim and his fellow aid workers.

Asim explained that the international donor informed them of the project's cancellation due to financial constraints. "Suddenly, I found myself unemployed," he said. "It's heartbreaking to see the children we were helping lose access to healthcare, especially amidst the ongoing war, weak governance, and widespread poverty."

Faced with a deteriorating situation, Asim, a communications and information technology graduate from Malaysia, contemplates leaving Yemen. "I'm considering emigrating to find opportunities that will allow me to support my family and build a future," he admitted. "While the situation in Yemen worsens with each passing day, hope remains for stability. The dream is for Yemen and its youth to find success, to have a decent life free from conflict, where the sounds of peace drown out the bullets."

The Red Sea crisis has also inflicted severe blows on the fishing sector, a critical source of income for Yemeni coastal communities. This sector, along with agriculture, contributes 23% to Yemen's GDP. The militarization of the Red Sea has led to the displacement of over 50,000 fishermen and workers in the fishing industry. These individuals have suffered significant losses, including a decline in daily income and even the loss of colleagues due to violence at sea. Tragically, eight fishermen lost their lives earlier this year as a result of gunfire. Donor-funded fisheries projects are now at risk due to the volatile situation in the Red Sea.

"The journeys I used to take are no longer meaningful," Hassan, a Yemeni fisherman, says. "The once-familiar fishing grounds are now too dangerous to reach. The catches are smaller, sometimes barely covering the cost of the trip itself."

He adds that many fishermen have abandoned their profession altogether since the war began. This exodus highlights the devastating impact of the Red Sea's militarization on their livelihoods. The dangerous journeys and uncertain income leave their families in constant anxiety, struggling to meet their daily needs.

"This ongoing conflict weakens the fishing sector every day," Hassan continues. "We lose many opportunities to improve our lives. The decision isn't ours to make."

With a call to action, he urges, "Let us all stand united against the militarization of this vital source of income for countless Yemenis. We, the people of Yemen, yearn for a return to stability. We want the waters to regain their natural , where fishermen can once again work safely and contribute to the nation's prosperity."