Charitable gift of nearly 500,000 VND caused terrible disaster in Yemen

The accident occurred on April 19, when impoverished residents of the war-torn country rushed to receive donations worth 5,000 Yemeni riyals (nearly 500,000 VND) from local traders during the holy month of Ramadan (the month of fasting, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. This is one of the most important holidays for Muslims).

The incident comes just days before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. During this time of the month, people start donating to help those in need.

Spontaneous charity

A long line had formed at the gate of a school where food and cash were being distributed, said Naseh Shaker, a journalist at the scene. When officials opened the gate, people began rushing inside, he said.

Another witness who was at the school when the fight broke out said that more than 3,000 people had gathered to receive the charity, and they were all standing, pushing and climbing over each other. “We tried to tell them to go back, but there were too many people,” he said.

Witnesses said the Houthi forces fired into the air to control the crowd, but apparently hit a power line, causing it to explode. This caused panic and people began to trample each other.

Video footage of the Sanaa tragedy showed a chaotic scene with hundreds of people huddled together, unable to move and desperately calling for help. A few freed men tried to pull others out of the dead mass. The final images showed piles of shoes and scarves strewn on the floor.

Shoes and other belongings are left on the ground after a stampede in Sanaa, Yemen on April 19. Photo: CNN

Clothes and scarves left behind after the stampede. Photo: ABC News

Yemenis stand outside the school where the stampede occurred. Photo: ABC News

The businessmen organized the charity event without the cooperation of the country's Interior Ministry , said Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul-Khaleq al-Ajri. Three people have been detained for investigation into the incident.

The Houthi-run Zakat Authority said it would give one million Yemeni riyals (about $4,000) to each victim's family. It would also take care of the treatment of the injured and provide them with 200,000 riyals (nearly $750) each.

Poverty rate is high

The stampede and the large death toll reflect the current poverty levels in Yemen, said Ahmed Nagi, senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels, Belgium-based think tank.

“The poverty rate has increased a lot and there are more people who need help. Before, merchants only needed to help about 1,000-2,000 people, but now the number has increased to 5,000-10,000 people,” said Mr. Nagi.

The situation is dire across Yemen, but is particularly bad in areas held by Houthi forces, with nearly 65% ​​of Yemen's population under Houthi control.

According to Mr. Nagi, the Houthis deal with economic problems in areas under their control “as if it were none of their business.” He also attributed the various crises plaguing Yemeni cities to war, blockades or other foreign actors.

“The support is not enough, and the government does not care about the conditions of society… that is the root cause of the problem,” Mr. Nagi said.

Yemeni journalist Shaker said the April 19 tragedy was the result of years of economic desperation, and the international community should “act now” to stop the war.

Ongoing political instability is a major cause of poverty in Yemen. Photo: Borgen Project

Humanitarian crisis

The crisis in Yemen has been described by the United Nations as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Nine years of war have killed thousands, devastated the economy and left some 21.6 million people (two-thirds of the country's population) in need of humanitarian assistance. Tens of thousands of Yemenis are on the brink of famine, according to the organization.

The conflict in Yemen began as a civil war in 2014, when the Houthis stormed the capital, Sanaa, and overthrew the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government. The war became more widespread in 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition attempted to fight the Houthis.

However, it has ultimately become a confrontation between Iran – which is accused of supplying weapons to the Houthis – and Saudi Arabia, and is the main arena for their competition for influence in the region.

A Saudi delegation recently arrived in Sanaa to negotiate with the Houthis in search of a permanent ceasefire. The talks yielded unprecedented results with the exchange of 900 prisoners from both sides.

Nguyen Tuyet (According to CNN, NDTV, CGTN)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/mon-qua-tu-thien-gan-500000-dong-gay-nen-tham-hoa-kinh-hoang-o-yemen-a604136.html