The Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia has been working in this land of contradictions for 18 years.
While Dubai enjoys an abundance of skyscrapers, Yemen suffers from an abundance of hunger.
Hunger aggravated by the relentless conflict between Iran-backed Shia militias and the Saudi Arabia-backed central government.
The situation is all but reassuring. More than five years of war and there's no sign of it ending anytime soon.
BP. PAUL HINDER
Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia
“It's true that we're facing a conflict that has been somewhat forgotten by public opinion. Compared to other conflicts, this one seems to be of less interest, even if it's a dramatic situation. The people of Yemen hope that steps will be taken to establish peace, because they do not want war. They are in some ways victims of poor political decisions.”
The crisis in Yemen is one that Pope Francis often mentions during important events.
POPE FRANCIS
February 8, 2021
'My thoughts also turn to Yemen.'
POPE FRANCIS
January 1, 2021
'Brothers and sisters, let us think of the children in Yemen.'
POPE FRANCIS
December 25, 2020
'Let us turn our gaze to the all too many children worldwide, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, who still pay the high price of war.'
It's a matter the Apostolic Vicar often discusses with Pope Francis, who is concerned by the way some countries are benefiting from arms sales.
BP. PAUL HINDER
Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia
“I've talked to him many times, especially about the problem of arms trafficking, which in this case is not helpful.'
The UN reports that by the end of 2021, the number of war victims will be 377,000. Sixty percent of them killed not by bombs nor bullets, but by hunger and disease due to lack of access to medical attention. According to a report published by the United Nations Development Program, if the conflict is not halted, the number of fatalities could rise to 1.3 million people by 2030.
JRB
TR: CT
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