Yemen orphans suffer after the funding sources dry up
For Yemen's orphans, one goal prevails above all else: survive to live another day
Desperate and alone, they rely entirely on the ever-waning generosity of the government in Sana'a, private donations, and charitable organizations
But Yemen's deteriorating humanitarian crisis and the ongoing civil war has depleted private and public resources and orphans' needs are often last on the list of priorities
"We have used up the limited funds and aid that we were given and now the orphanage is threatened with closure," said Abdullah al Hindi, director of The Orphanage, Sanaa's largest government-run home for orphansmeals are comprised of rice and some sort of sauce if they're lucky. Fruits, vegetables and meats are a rarity on the menu these days, if at all
The grounds are run-down and dilapidated and classrooms are overflowing
And as the war rages, the children are increasingly suffering from a constant state of fear, trauma and growing uncertainty
"Each day is harder than the next," said the orphanage director of the al Shoukani center Raje al Aqabi, home to some 300 orphans. "If the situation continues we will have a catastrophe on our hands for us, for others, for the county as a whole
Nearly two years of war has decimated Yemen's already struggling economy, plunged millions into poverty, displaced millions of others, and killed more than 10,000 people
The conflict continues with no end in sight as repeated attempts at peace talks and ceasefires between the warring parties, the Houthi-led militias and the Saudi-backed exiled government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, have failed to produce results
According to UNICEF, one child dies in Yemen every ten minutes from preventable diseases, including malnutrition, respiratory infections and diarrhea