Sanaa: The Entisaf Organization for Women and Children's Rights has highlighted the severe challenges faced by Yemeni youth as they commemorate International Youth Day on August 12. The ongoing Saudi-American aggression and blockade, persisting for over a decade, have exacerbated the humanitarian, economic, and living conditions in Yemen, significantly impacting the youth's rights and opportunities for education, employment, and dignified living.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Entisaf Organization issued a statement on International Youth Day, underscoring the dire situation that the young population faces. The continued aggression and blockade have led to economic deterioration and the collapse of basic services, directly affecting Yemeni youth's future prospects. The statement emphasized that young people, who are crucial to society's development, are grappling with a harsh reality marked by reduced opportunities for education and employment, increased unemployment and poverty, and damaged infrastructure and public services.
The organization's statement revealed alarming statistics, projecting that over 22 million people will require humanitarian aid and protection by 2026, including 10.95 million women and girls. This signifies the expanding humanitarian crisis, particularly affecting the youth. The economic challenges, including declining job opportunities and rising living costs, have forced many young people into unemployment or unstable jobs, hindering their ability to establish independent economic lives, start families, and fulfill their aspirations.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the destruction and damage sustained by universities and institutes during the aggression, severely impacting the youth's access to higher education and training. The economic turmoil has made it difficult for young people to afford tuition, transportation, and other educational expenses, limiting their opportunities for skills development and scientific research. The latest data from 2026 indicates that approximately 5.4 million individuals will face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity between June and September 2026, underscoring the intense pressure on families and youth.
The statement stressed the profound psychological and social scars inflicted on young people due to ongoing displacement, income loss, and diminished future prospects. It called for genuine responses to address their psychological, social, and economic needs. The Entisaf Organization urged that International Youth Day should not merely be about events and slogans, but an opportunity to highlight the plight of Yemeni youth and advocate for their rights, which have been severely affected by the aggression and blockade. It should also focus on creating an environment that ensures access to education, training, employment, healthcare, and active societal participation for the youth.
The organization appealed to the international community, the United Nations, and international humanitarian organizations to fulfill their responsibilities towards Yemeni youth. It called for intensified efforts to support higher education and vocational training, empower youth economically, provide job opportunities and income-generating projects, and enhance health and social services. These measures are crucial to alleviating the effects of the aggression and blockade and opening new opportunities for the youth.
The organization also emphasized the need to prioritize Yemeni youth in recovery, humanitarian response, and development plans, ensuring their involvement in shaping policies and programs concerning their future. Empowering youth and safeguarding their rights are essential to achieving a stable and secure future.
Finally, the organization warned that the continued deterioration of the youth's situation would result in the loss of immense human potential that could contribute to development and nation-building. It stressed that protecting the rights of Yemeni youth is not merely a local responsibility but a legal and humanitarian obligation for the international community. Urgent and concrete measures are needed to guarantee their right to a better future and a dignified life.