Yemen is facing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world in modern history, suffering from years of civil war, poverty, cholera and now the COVID-19 pandemic.

Salaam & Hello,

My name is Sobia Hussain, from Toronto, Canada. Last year, I began challenging my family and friends to join me on a walking challenge to encourage movement for the multiple benefits for the mind and body. Many joined in virtually from across the globe and would share their journeys online.

However, this year, I felt the efforts were not enough. I couldn’t ignore the crisis in Yemen and felt the need to bring greater awareness to the crisis in Yemen to my circles and walking participants. 

I want us to get involved on a collective level. 

For the month of July, I want you all to join me on the #walkwithsobiaforyemen Challenge, where together we will walk, raise awareness and collect money for the people of Yemen. 

It’s time to raise our consciousness and make a concrete difference in the lives that need it so very much right now. There is no time to waste.

Together, let’s walk for Yemen.

With Peace,

Sobia

What’s Happening in Yemen?

Yemen is facing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world in modern history, suffering from years of civil war, poverty, cholera and now the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is on the brink of collapse as famine runs rampant, leaving the people of Yemen in threat of mere existence.

There are 28 million people in Yemen, yet 24 million are in dire need right now. They face severe food insecurity, inaccessibility to clean water and basic healthcare. If they do not receive humanitarian aid right now, the people of Yemen’s very survival is in danger.

Consider the following:

• 85% of the country is impacted by severe famine right now

• 17.8 million people are in need of water and sanitation facilities

• 19.7 million people need basic healthcare

• 33 million people are internally displaced from war

How is Islamic Relief Helping?

• Islamic Relief is the biggest implementing partner for the UN World Food Programme in Yemen

• 1 in every 5 people receiving food in Yemen are currently getting it through Islamic Relief’s assistance

• Islamic Relief is supporting 167 health facilities providing assistance via medicines and medical equipment

• Islamic Relief is providing nutrition support to pregnant and lactating women and malnourished children, who are impacted the greatest

• They are working strategically with other world organizations through “clusters: to ensure distribution of humanitarian response and relief without overlaps and gaps throughout the country

• Their emergency appeal has provided food to over 2.4 million people

• Islamic Relief has over 300 staff and 3,000 volunteers working on ground in Yemen to provide life-saving relief

How Can I Help and Get Involved?

Help me reach our community goal of raising $5,000 for Islamic Relief’s Yemen relief efforts by the end of July!

Here’s how:

1. Donate to this cause
   Give however much you want and can - even $5 counts, but the more the greater the impact. Spare the daily coffee or bagel you buy from your favourite cafe, and donate the amount here to Yemen for the month of July!
   

2. Join the #walkwithsobiaforyemen Challenge!
   Walk (or jog/run) a minimum of 50km throughout July (that’s less than 2km per day, or 3.1km 4 days/week). Share on your social media platforms using the hashtag #walkwithsobiaforyemen that you are taking part in this challenge. Ask your family and friends to donate to this cause for Yemen. Send them the link to this page!
   For additional community spirit, log-in how many kilometres (or miles) you have walked per week here. I’ll be tallying it up to see how far we can walk collectively by the end of July. My aim is 500km completed together, bismillah.
   

3. Encourage your circles to join, too.

4. Let everyone in your social circles join the #walkwithsobiaforyemen Challenge from any part of the world to help bring more awareness and donations for Yemen.The more people this reaches, the greater the impact to the people who need it the most. Share the link to this page and remind them to use the hashtag so we can follow the walks.

Let’s grow this initiative exponentially! Not only will you feel better physically from the walk, but you’ll be making a difference in the lives of the people of Yemen.

Join the #walkwithsobiaforyemen Challenge today to help provide urgent relief and save lives. Yemen is counting on you.

We can do this!

Stay Blessed! Bismillah.

Follow along with community challenge:

www.instagram.com/sobiasmiles

www.sobiahussain.com