Yemen

Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east

Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula

Environment Issues: limited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Ethnic Groups: predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asian, European

Languages: Arabic (official) note: a distinct Socotri language is widely used on Socotra Island and Archipelago; Mahri is still fairly widely spoken in eastern Yemen

Government Type: in transition

URGENT is engaged in the following activities within Yemen:

To be a Yemeni is to be Muslim. Converts to Chrisianity are in extreme danger, especially in the south where Al Qauda presides. The ongoing war and plight of the general population has been particularly difficult on Christians. As aid is distributed, typically through a local mosque, Christians are often overlooked. (Source: Open Doors)