China News Service, November 24. According to a report on the United Nations website, conflict broke out in Yemen in early 2011. In 2015, Saudi Arabia-led Arab allied forces launched military operations against Houthi armed forces.
In the past six years, this conflict has not only brought about the loss of lives and property, but also tore the livelihood and social structure, causing Yemen to falter on the brink of famine, and the development process is generally regressed.
The United Nations Development Programme’s "Assessment of the Impact of War on Yemen" released a few days ago showed that although the situation is still deteriorating, hope still exists: If the conflict is now over, coupled with an inclusive and comprehensive recovery process, Yemen can be in 2047. Or put an end to extreme poverty within a generation.
Data map: Taz, Yemen's third largest city. At the beginning of the new school year, students are taking classes in temporary classrooms.
In a previous air raid, the teaching building was severely damaged and reduced to ruined walls.
The six-year crisis caused Yemen to miss 100 billion in potential growth
According to Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, “This study clearly describes what a durable and peaceful future will look like, including providing people with new and sustainable opportunities.”
Steiner pointed out that in order to help achieve this goal, the entire United Nations family continues to work with communities across Yemen to create a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous future for all Yemenis.
The report shows that in the past six years, the crisis has caused Yemen to miss $126 billion in potential economic growth.
Data map: Sana'a, Yemen, high school students taking exams.
If peace is achieved by 2050, Yemen will "make a big change"
Over the past six years, millions of Yemenis continue to suffer in the conflict, fall into poverty, and have little chance of obtaining employment and livelihoods.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 80% of Yemen’s population, or 2 million people, depend on aid and protection, of which 14.3 million are in urgent need of assistance.
The report found through statistical modeling techniques that if Yemen achieves peace in January 2022, coupled with an inclusive and comprehensive recovery process, the country will reverse the current trend of deep poverty.
By 2050, Yemen will rise to a middle-income level, and 15.6 million people will be lifted out of extreme poverty.
In addition, by 2025, malnutrition may be halved.
By the middle of this century, Yemen may achieve an economic growth of US$450 billion.
The report pointed out that achieving peace is the only feasible way to end Yemen’s suffering.
The report emphasizes the need for an all-inclusive and comprehensive recovery process that covers all sectors of Yemeni society and is people-centered.
Data map: Because of the long-term malnutrition, the Yemeni woman Saiida is much smaller than normal.
The nurse measures the weight of Saida.
UN agency: Women's empowerment is essential
The report emphasizes that women's empowerment is the key to recovery.
Forecasts show that by 2050, efforts focused on improving the well-being of women and girls will help Yemen’s GDP increase by 30%, while halving the maternal mortality rate by 2029.
Auke Lootsma, the representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Yemen, said, “Involving women, making them part of the workforce, and truly empowering women to contribute to the recovery and reconstruction of Yemen will Is extremely important."
Data map: After a plane carrying members of the Yemen coalition government arrived at Aden Airport, an explosion occurred at the airport and smoke billowed.
The picture shows the security forces at the explosion site.
If the conflict continues until 2030, 1.3 million people or their lives will be lost
While analyzing the potential peace dividend, the report also presents a pessimistic future model: If the Yemen conflict continues until 2030, it will claim 1.3 million lives.
The report shows that more and more deaths will not be caused by fighting, but by the secondary impact of the crisis on livelihoods, food prices, and basic services such as health care and education.
The report shows that, so far, 60% of deaths during the crisis were caused by these secondary factors.
But if the war continues, it is expected that this proportion will increase to 75% by 2030.
The report points out that this crisis has already plunged 4.9 million people into malnutrition.
If the war continues, by 2030, this number will grow to 9.2 million.
In the same year, the number of people living in extreme poverty will surge to 22 million, accounting for 65% of the total population.
People long for a sustainable and inclusive recovery
UNDP emphasized that given the alarming impact of the conflict over the past six years, as the situation continues to spiral downward, there is no time to waste.
Even if the fighting continues, plans to support recovery must continue to be made.
Khalida Bouzar, the head of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, said that the people of Yemen are eager to move on to a path of recovery for sustainable and inclusive development.
He said: "The UNDP stands ready to further strengthen our support for them on the journey of leaving no one behind, and to help Yemen and the region reach their full potential-so that once peace is achieved, peace can continue."