Rania is originally from Al Hudaydah and went from volunteering to make sandwiches for students at a local school to managing her own local initiative. She talks to us about the challenges of doing aid work in Yemen and why vulnerable Yemenis often don’t trust humanitarian organizations. Rania speaks frankly about her real challenges in light of a global recession, where funding is down approximately 50%. In 2020, many vulnerable Yemenis may have access to half the aid of last year while they face twice the need as a result of COVID-19. It’s hard to imagine how they will buy basic needs in bulk to practice social distancing when they have little to no income.

For more information: Alex@YemenNews.org

@YnewsAW

*At the time of posting this episode the number of COVID-19 cases was 25. Including 5 deaths and 1 recovered (In Lahj, Sanaa, Aden, Hadramout and Taiz) The actual number is likely much higher.