Yemen - September 17, 2024

Millions of displaced Yemenis are longing for a lasting and workable peace agreement to end the brutal war between pro-government forces and Houthis and harsh blockade as soon as possible.

Fleeing the horrors of war, Fateeni Ali and his family settled in a small shop in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a. He left the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah with his wife and children seven years ago, never expecting their life of displacement to last this long.

Their longing for home continues, just as it does for millions of other Yemenis who hope for a swift end to the war.

"We were displaced from Hodeidah to Sana'a. I have a family of eight, and we hope to return to our homes and check on our relatives, but the situation is still difficult. My children and I work on the streets to earn a living, and as you can see, our situation is tough," said Fateeni.

Yemen entered a state of "no war, no peace" with the halt of ground fighting and a UN-brokered humanitarian truce in April 2022. Yemenis now watch in frustration as their living conditions continue to worsen, still waiting for the day when permanent peace is declared and a nearly decade-long chapter of war and suffering is finally closed.

"Nearly 10 years of war, blockade, and the closure of the airport have affected the Yemeni people. As Yemeni citizens, we hope for an end to the war, the reopening of the airport, and to live like other nations, traveling freely to other countries," said Ahmed Balsa, another citizen hoping for life to return to normal.

Echoing the hopes of many other Yemenis, Ahed Al-Humaidi also expressed his desire for an end to the conflict.

"The war in Yemen has dragged on, and we hope it will end so that the voice of peace can return to the country, the suffering can stop, and Yemeni wisdom can prevail to bring an end to the war," he said.

The United Nations has described the situation in Yemen as the most devastating conflict since the end of the Cold War.

The war has caused the deaths of nearly a quarter of a million people, either from the fighting or from a lack of food, healthcare, and infrastructure.

UN aid agencies report that over 17 million Yemenis suffer from malnutrition, and 4.5 million children are out of school due to the war.

Shotlist:

Sana'a, Yemen - Sept 17, 2024
1. Various of displaced Yemeni civilian Fateeni Ali talking with CGTN reporter;
2. Fateeni talking to his family members;
3. Fateeni's family member sorting items;
4. Bag hung on wall;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fateeni Ali, displaced Yemeni civilian (starting with shot 4):
"We were displaced from Hodeidah to Sana'a. I have a family of eight, and we hope to return to our home and check on our relatives, but the situation is still difficult. My children and I work on the streets to earn a living, and as you can see, our situation is tough.";

Sana'a, Yemen - Sept 8, 2024
6. Various of city view, traffic, pedestrians;

Sana'a, Yemen - Sept 17, 2024
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmed Balsa, citizen (starting with shot 6):
"Nearly 10 years of war, blockade, and the closure of the airport have affected the Yemeni people. As Yemeni citizens, we hope for an end to the war, the reopening of the airport, and to live like other nations, traveling freely to other countries.";

Sana'a, Yemen - Sept 8, 2024
8. Pedestrians, traffic;

Sana'a, Yemen - Sept 17, 2024
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahed Al-Humaidi, citizen:
"The war in Yemen has dragged on, and we hope it will end so that the voice of peace can return to the country, the suffering can stop, and Yemeni wisdom can prevail to bring an end to the war.";

FILE: Yemen - July 2023
10. Various of destroyed houses, rubble, residents;

FILE: Hajjah, Yemen - July 2023
11. Aerial shot of camp;
12. Various of displaced people, tents.

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