Providing Relief During Civil War, Famine, and the Worst Humanitarian Crisis Since World War II

Since civil war broke out in 2015, the already resource-poor Republic of Yemen – the second-largest country on the Arabian Peninsula – has been in desperate need of humanitarian aid. Famine, a lack of safe drinking water, and an ongoing cholera epidemic affect residents on an unprecedented scale. Watching the tragedy unfold in real time, Sohair Omar MPP’10 decided to work to alleviate the suffering.

Tell us a little bit about Yemen Aid, the organization that you started. 

I co-founded Yemen Aid, a 501(c)(3) organization/NGO in 2016 – AH 1438 in the Islamic calendar – to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. 

According to the UN, the situation in Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II – and Yemen is currently facing the world's biggest famine. Specifically, 80 percent of the population in Yemen needs humanitarian aid and, according to the New York Times, more than 14 million Yemenis suffer dangerous levels of food insecurity -- a figure that dwarfs that of any other country in conflict. According to the World Health Organization, fewer than 45 percent of health facilities in Yemen are fully functioning, not to mention spikes in cholera and diphtheria cases.

Yemen Aid is exclusively dedicated to alleviating these crises, including providing food aid and medical aid and working to help modernize water infrastructure. In addition to securing partnerships with US-based medical organizations, one of our major accomplishments to date is starting an ambulance service in Yemen with a grant from the Pakistan-based Abdul Sattar Edhi International Foundation. Prior to that, an emergency first aid response system – for instance, a 911 service – did not exist in Yemen. 

We encourage all parties to the Yemeni conflict to start talking to each other about a long-term agreement that will bring stability back to Yemen and end human suffering.  

Can you discuss any regional geo-political issues that are impacting the crisis?

Yemen Aid is neutral and non-political; however, we strongly encourage all parties to the Yemeni conflict, including but not limited to the U.S. government and the Saudi-led coalition, to end air strikes and to initiate ceasefires in order to create the conditions for peace talks.

How can the world community help? What about the United States? 

Yemen Aid calls on the international community – including the U.S. government – to double the amount of humanitarian aid to Yemen. Emergency food assistance is badly needed – and it’s needed right now. 

It costs $5,000 to sponsor 200 food baskets for people in need. Each food basket feeds a family of five to seven for one month. So that $5,000 feeds 200 families, over 1,000 people, for a month.

To sponsor a food aid project in Yemen, contact Summer Nasser (summer@yemenaid.org) or Wasim Ottman (wasim@yemenaid.org).

Besides what Yemen-Aid is doing, do you see other signs of progress being made to alleviate the crisis?

Yes. Whenever possible, Yemen Aid coordinates with humanitarian actors operating in Yemen, in a list maintained by the Logistics Cluster. The cluster approach was adopted in 2005 to address consistent gaps and weaknesses and to improve international responses to humanitarian crises. It is a means to strengthen response capacity, coordination and accountability by enhancing partnerships in key sectors, and by formalizing the roles of particular organizations. 

Are you hopeful?

Yes. But ending the human suffering in Yemen will require a lot more compassion, political will, and investment by Yemenis, their neighbors, and the international community. I believe we can work to end this crisis if we improve essential government services.

You had done a lot before you started Yemen Aid. Talk to us about your career journey. How did you end up where you are today? 

Upon graduation, I joined the Illinois Governor's Office, where I worked on economic development and transportation projects. It was important work, and we got a lot done. Shortly thereafter, I was recruited by the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority and served as a policy analyst there and then as deputy director. At the same time, I served as Governor Pat Quinn's Muslim Constituent Liaison and as co-chair of his Muslim American Advisory Council.

Afterward, I took time off to start a family, to work on my passion projects and to give back. I recently joined Harvard Law School Islamic Legal Studies Program's editorial team as editor. It’s called SHARIAsource. The mission of SHARIAsource is to organize the world's information on Islamic law in a way that is accessible and useful. Its research portal offers cutting-edge content and context on Islamic law to academics, journalists, and policymakers.

You recently released a book. What drove you to write, and why is this topic important? 

According to Saadia Zahidi, an economist at the World Economic Forum, 40 million more Muslim women have joined the workforce compared to ten years ago – and that number will continue to increase. I wish there was a book like this for me when I was just starting out in my career. 

I wrote Pious & Professional: A Guide for Muslim Women in the Workforce as a way to empower Muslim women and to help them navigate through workplace culture without compromising their faith. It’s full of tips, advice and strategies – from everyday communication to maternity leave – inspired by the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It’s an important read for young Muslim women as well as human resource departments committed to diversity and inclusion. 

Stepping back a bit, what policy issues are most important to you? 

I am most interested in systems of governance that are based on God's Laws. I’m focused on systems of infrastructure, like transportation and water, as well as health systems. I want to make the biggest impact in developing countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, where help is needed much more than in the United States.

How did Harris prepare you for your current roles? 

Harris Public Policy expanded my thinking with respect to combining data and evidence with my political philosophy, and introduced me to smart, powerful women – including, but not limited to, Ellen Cohen, Paula Wolff, and Paula Worthington – who I am eternally grateful to.