Faith Leaders Call on Congress to End Arm Sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the War in Yemen
The following public letter appeared in the Washington Post
100 Faith leaders from all 50 states agree: Congress must end arms sales and military support for the war in Yemen
As Americans of faith, we call upon Congress to end all U.S. arms sales and military support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the war in Yemen, which has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and put millions more at risk of famine, in what has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Since 2015, the United States has provided military support to a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which has been engaged in a failed military campaign attempting to reclaim control of Yemen from an armed group known as the Houthis. All sides have committed extensive violations against civilians, and interfered with lifesaving humanitarian aid, which has resulted in over 24 million Yemenis – four-fifths of the country’s entire population – in dire need of humanitarian assistance to survive.
Children in Yemen are among the most vulnerable, and a Yemeni child dies on average every ten minutes of preventable causes. With more than one million children suffering from malnutrition, even those who survive will be robbed of their futures and suffer lifelong health consequences. By the end of 2019, the war in Yemen will have caused more than 230,000 deaths, with the majority being children under the age of five. No child should face this horrific fate.
Our faith compels us to protect the most vulnerable, and to seek a peaceful end to deadly conflict. Now is the time when the United States could help halt the unimaginable horrors the Yemeni people have suffered for more than four years.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). By suspending all U.S. arms sales and military support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the war in Yemen, Congress can show that the United States stands for a peaceful resolution of Yemen’s horrific conflict. Congress must act without further delay to help end the war in Yemen.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
FAQ: Hunger Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan would be considered likely to have high rates of hunger because at least two of the major causes of global hunger affect it—armed conflict and fragile governmental institutions.
Global Malnutrition Fact Sheet 2021
Malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under 5. Every year, the world loses hundreds of thousands of young children and babies to hunger-related causes.
MEMO ON THE HIGH RETURNS OF INVESTING IN A 1,000 DAYS INFRASTRUCTURE
Bread for the World is calling on the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to build a better 1,000-Days infrastructure in the United States.
For Faith
Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Bilingual Latino Devotional
Devotional writers challenge us to feel the Spirit of God within us and to hear God’s urgent call to demand justice so all can put food on the table.The Bible on Health as a Hunger Issue
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” These words from Colossians 2:6 remind us of the faith that is active in love for our neighbors.
The Bible on...
Faith Leaders' Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to respond to changes in need, making it well suited to respond to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $200 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $200 million for global nutrition.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.