Many families in Yemen have been affected by economic and humanitarian crisis and as a result Oxfam has been donating life stock to help rebuilt lives and improve income. Oxfam has donated sheep to a Suad who is a 70 year old sheep farmer which has not only helped her recover from the crisis but also enabled her to see again.
Suad who lives in Yemen’s western capital Hodeidah says she felt helpless after losing her sight nearly a year ago. She says prior to that she had always depended upon herself but once her livestock died she had to sell all her possessions to survive.
Suad became a sheep farmer at a young age like many others in her village and for many years she earned a decent living as a shepherd. Yemen was hit by both drought and financial crisis and both had dramatic effects on sheep herds.
Suad says droughts in the region are a common occurrence which usually result in food and fuel price rises. However the drought which occurred last year was a particular disaster for all the villagers with expensive fuel and lack of water which resulted in pasture drying up.
Many Yemeni’s have similar stories and are struggling to find enough food to eat and simply do not have the means to cope with disaster.
Oxfam in response has started a project to help people in similar situations to Suad. The project includes funding the gift of livestock and providing technical advice to people like Suad and has had a real impact on their lives. Now they can produce their own food and cope with drought in the future.
Suad made money selling offspring from her sheep and was able to obtain medical help to restore her eyesight. The doctor diagnosed her eyesight problem as cataract which is easily treatable through surgery.
