Summary
In Yemen, Mehdi Galeb Nasr's family struggles with severe food shortages. Nasr, nearly blind, used to sell ice cream but now collects plastic bottles for a living. The International Rescue Committee warns that over half of Yemen's population faces worsening hunger in early 2026.
Key Facts
- Mehdi Galeb Nasr was an ice cream vendor in Sanaa, Yemen, until he lost his vision in one eye.
- Now, he collects plastic bottles to earn a small income, assisted by his family to prevent him from getting lost.
- Yemen is experiencing significant food shortages, with projections showing over 18 million people facing hunger by early 2026.
- The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system reported that an additional million people could face life-threatening hunger soon.
- Yemen has been embroiled in ongoing conflict, including recent tensions involving Saudi Arabia and UAE-backed groups.
- Years of conflict have disrupted lives, restricting access to basic services and worsening the food crisis.
- Economic challenges such as unpaid salaries, inflation, and international sanctions have compounded the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
- In recent months, Saudi-backed forces have mostly regained control of areas previously taken by Yemeni separatist groups backed by UAE forces.
