The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has affirmed that the risks facing journalists in Yemen are not confined to addressing political issues, but instead extend to addressing and covering environmental crises in this country, which has been globally classified as one of the nations severely affected by climate change.
Marking the World Press Freedom Day 2024, the organization highlighted in a report the challenges environmental journalists face, particularly in conflict zones like Yemen. saying Yemeni journalists continue to brave danger to report on crucial issues including the environmental crises affecting their country.
"Yemen, already burdened by conflict, faces a myriad of environmental challenges. Over the past decade, climate change-induced natural disasters, including floods, cyclones, landslides, and droughts, have caused extensive damage in the country. Among the most pressing issues are several cyclones that have hit Yemen, resulting in severe damage to housing and infrastructure, the flooding of hundreds of hectares of agricultural land, the loss of thousands of tons of crops, and more, directly impacting the livelihoods of Yemenis," the report noted.
The report also cited environmental journalist Hussen Nasser Al-Yabari saying that these challenges have been exacerbated by conflict, as man-made disasters such as deforestation, unsafe pesticide use, oil spills, and poor waste management have increased, putting further pressure on the country’s resources.
He added: “Yemen has faced several significant environmental challenges over the past year, exacerbated by ongoing conflict, worsening humanitarian, economic, and environmental conditions.”
"Awareness of all aspects of the environmental crisis and its consequences is essential for peacebuilding. Journalistic work is crucial for this purpose, providing the public with reliable information, insightful analysis, and a comprehensive understanding of the issues directly affecting them. Sharing a success story," Al-Yabari was quoted as saying.
According to the report, reporting on environmental crises amidst conflict and political instability presents numerous challenges. Journalists encounter significant hurdles in seeking and disseminating information on these issues, especially in a war-torn country like Yemen. According to the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate's first quarterly report of 2024, 17 cases of violations against media freedom were documented in the country during the first quarter of the year. These violations included restrictions on freedom, assaults on journalists and press institutions, and property confiscations.
In addition to dealing with physical, economic, political, psychological, digital, and legal threats, accessing reliable information in times of crisis can be challenging.
