The organizing committee of Muslim Literary Festival (MLF) stands in solidarity with the people of Yemen. For the past nine years, the Yemeni government and the Houthis have been at war. This war has deeply impacted the civilians of Yemen and has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. As of March 2024, over 4 million people are displaced, and two-thirds of the population are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Over 17 million are vulnerable from high levels of food insecurity, and 6 million people are on the brink of famine. Water and food infrastructure have been impacted, and civilians in Yemen have faced unlawful attacks that target homes, hospitals, and schools. Restrictions on humanitarian aid add to the vulnerability of the Yemeni people. MLF stands with Yemen, condemns this violence, and calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to the conflict and humanitarian crisis. 

In February 2023, the government of Canada announced it would continue to respond to this humanitarian crisis by providing $46 million in humanitarian assistance for life-saving food, health care, clean water, and sanitation. Canada has provided over $411 million in funding to their partners working in Yemen since the beginning of the conflict in 2015. However, Canada supported the U.S. and U.K. airstrikes on Yemen in response to the Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Seas in an effort to halt Israel’s attacks on Palestine. There have been no updates on Canada’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen since February 2023. We urge Canadians to contact their MPs and call for a ceasefire. We encourage you to use the resources listed below to stay informed and get involved.

There are several other countries and regions being impacted by imperialism, and MLF also stands in solidarity with Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Hawaii, and all oppressed peoples of the world. Our organization stands for liberation and will always stand against oppression.