Yemen🇾🇪
Located on the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman, Yemen is a country rich with ancient history and unique landscapes. It's a country steeped with antiquity with a reputation for its ancient architecture such as the old city of Sanaa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the historical city of Shibam, known as the 'Chicago of the desert'. The diverse geography ranges from sandy deserts, fertile valleys to rugged mountains. The country is undergoing a protracted conflict since 2014 impacting the overall safety and living conditions.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid traveling without a reliable and trusted guide, especially outside urban areas.
- Avoid consumption of tap water and preferably consume bottled water.
- Avoid visits to military sites and bases which are frequently targeted in the ongoing conflict.
- Avoid disrespecting local customs and traditions.
- Avoid crowded markets and tourist sites due to higher threats of terrorist activity.
- Avoid public demonstrations or large gatherings which have a high chance of turning violent.
- Avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics, religion and homosexuality.
- Avoid non-essential travel during the night due to poor road conditions and security risks.
- Avoid making independent travel arrangements, always go through a reputed agency.
- Avoid posing for pictures without asking for consent, especially women.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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The conflict has led to a deteriorated security environment in Yemen, and incidents of crime are at a higher level. Petty crimes such as theft are common but incidents of violent crime like kidnapping and murder have also been reported, particularly in areas outside of government control. In areas like Taiz and Aden, the security situation remains particularly volatile.
Terrorism 💣
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Yemen faces threats from terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS. In 2020, a suicide bombing incident happened in Al Mahfad district, Abyan, by Al-Qaeda targeting the security infrastructure. The country has been in a state of civil war since 2014 which fosters an environment conducive to terrorist activities.
War ⚔️
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Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014 involving a number of armed combatants including the government, Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition. This plays a considerable part in making the security situation in the country extremely tense and unpredictable. Major cities such as Sanaa, Taiz, and Aden have all been affected by the war.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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Yemen is vulnerable to natural disasters including floods, droughts, and locust invasions. In 2020, heavy rains and flooding resulted in loss of life and property across the country. However, Yemen is not located in an area susceptible to frequent seismic activities.
Medical Care 🏥
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In Yemen, access to healthcare has been severely compromised by the ongoing war, with many medical facilities damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, critical shortages of medical supplies and personnel render the healthcare system inadequate in providing sufficient care even in major cities.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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Safe drinking water is a significant issue in Yemen. The water here is often contaminated and not safe to drink. There have been numerous outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera over the years due to the poor water sanitation in the country.
Disease Burden 🤒
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Yemen has faced frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases such as dengue fever, cholera, and lately Covid-19. A significant cholera outbreak in 2017 affected over a million Yemenis causing thousands of deaths.
Corruption 💸
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Corruption is rampant in Yemen, affecting many sectors including public services, judiciary, and security forces. The ongoing civil war has greatly contributed to the situation and poses a significant challenge to anti-corruption efforts.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Yemen doesn't ensure safety for women due to its conservative societal norms and ongoing conflict. Instances of sexual harassment, violence and discrimination against women are widespread.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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Yemen is not a safe country for the Queer community. Homosexuality is criminalized and can be punishable by death according to the societal and legal structure.
Censorship 📺
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Yemen has high levels of censorship. Journalists face threats, kidnapping, and murder making it one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. The environment of the civil war exacerbates the situation with all parties seeking to control the narrative.
Public Transportation 🚌
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Public transportation exists but is not highly regulated. Minibuses and taxis are the most common forms of transport within cities. However, due to poor road maintenance, reckless driving and security situation traveling can often be dangerous.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
Given the ongoing conflict and the presence of terrorist groups, the safety situation in Yemen is extremely concerning. It's important to stay updated with local news, avoid conflict zones and remain vigilant at all times. While in Yemen, maintain a low profile, be aware of your surroundings and follow the instructions of local authorities.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
Due to the conflict, many countries have closed their embassies in Yemen. Some countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have temporarily moved their embassies to Saudi Arabia.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations for travelers to Yemen include Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies, Meningitis, and routine vaccinations. Given the recent Covid-19 pandemic, it's also advisable to be vaccinated against the disease.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
While many wild animals and variants of snakes are found in Yemen, chances of encounters are infrequent unless travellers venture into remote areas. Scorpions are common and precaution should be taken while camping or hiking.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Obtaining a visa for Yemen can be challenging due to the current conflict. Tourist visas are issued on arrival for some nationalities at specific entry points, however, it's best to obtain one beforehand through an embassy.
💲 Currency
The currency of Yemen is the Yemeni Rial. Money can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and licensed exchange facilities.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Credit cards are not widely accepted in Yemen, so it's best to carry cash. Infrastructure for electronic transactions are minimal and concerns about fraud persist.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
The current security situation and poor economy make Yemen unsuitable for work and travel programs.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
The cost of travel and living is relatively low in Yemen compared to many countries, however, due to security considerations, costs might vary.