BRATTLEBORO — On Friday, March 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom, Windham World Affairs Council in partnership with Action Corps will present a panel discussion to mark seven years of war in Yemen.
Vermont peace activists, Yemeni Americans, and local leaders will come together to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the war that has caused it, and what Vermonters and everyday people around the world are doing to stop the U.S.-backed bombing and blockade of the country.
Yemen has been in conflict since 2015 between two warring factions: the internationally recognized government supported by the Saudi regime and Houthi rebels backed by Iran.
The seven-year conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis in which millions of Yemenis have been displaced. “The country's economic and healthcare systems are on the brink of collapse,” reports a news release.
Half the population is struggling to meet basic needs like food and water, the news release continues, and 2.5 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. UNICEF expects that 400,000 children could die of malnutrition unless they receive treatment now, event organizers say. The pandemic has made the situation even worse, as many countries have cut back on aid and necessary supplies. Yemen is now on the brink of a famine.
What has the U.S. position been on this conflict? Peace activists say the United States has supplied Saudi Arabia with weaponry, intelligence, parts, and diplomatic cover while Saudi Arabia has waged this near-genocidal war on the nation and people of Yemen causing one of the largest humanitarian disasters in the world.
Why is Windham World Affairs Council partnering with Action Corps? According to Action Corp's website, it is “an organization which builds solidarity with people most affected by climate disasters and violent conflict.” They say they achieve this by “connecting grassroots activists to NGOs, media, and members of Congress.”
“Action Corps has prophetically campaigned to our national legislators to introduce a War Powers Act Resolution” states the news release. “Such a resolution seeks to curb the United States's participation in a congressionally unauthorized war by proxy and to press the Saudis to end the blockade that prevents food and supplies from entering the country.”
Register for this event at bit.ly/656-yemen. Learn more about what Action Corps is doing at actioncorps.org.