Yemeni artists show the world why they need peace now

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“Pain & Hope” is a typography portrait designed by Nada Jalal Al-Saqaf. Al-Saqaf is a lecturer at the Lebanese University, a trainer at GIPS Institute, and a partner at Trigon Design for printing and designing. “The painting embodies the resilience of women during the war, as we know that the burden of war and its aftermath falls on women,” says Al-Saqaf. “I wanted to highlight the vulnerable side of the strong women in which they emerge from under the rubble covered with dus Nada Jalal Al-Saqaf
For three years,
the US has supported Saudi Arabia’s military offensive in
Yemen...”

These artists use their cameras and paintbrushes to depict the toll war has taken on the Yemeni people, and make the case for peace.  

For three years, the US has supported Saudi Arabia's military offensive in Yemen, which has resulted in at least 5,558 civilian deaths, injured thousands more, pushed 8.4 million people to the brink of starvation, and created the largest cholera crisis on record.  

But these are just statistics. Numbers—and even words alone—cannot express how the war has uprooted the lives of Yemeni people, and especially women and children.   

To illustrate the very human impact of these three years, Oxfam invited Yemeni artists from all over the country to submit pieces demonstrating how the war has affected women and girls.  

Women are often the first to skip their meals to make sure their rations stretch further. Women, especially those who have been forced to leave their homes, are increasingly struggling to access hospital and medical services and legal services. Despite the obstacles, Yemeni women often serve as beacons of strength for their families, providing hope for the future.  

The artwork in this gallery demonstrates that in times of war, despite a lack of stability and materials, the creative spirit continues to flourish. And overwhelmingly, the submissions Oxfam received not only portray why peace is necessary now, but point to women as harbingers of the way forward. 

Since July 2015, Oxfam has reached more than 1.5 million people in nine governorates of Yemen with water and sanitation services, cash assistance and food vouchers. 

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