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Story perspectives

Yemen's Economic Collapse: Ice Cream Seller Turns to Trash

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Mehdi Galeb Nasr, a resident of Sanaa, Yemen, lost his job selling ice cream after deteriorating eyesight.
He now collects plastic bottles for a little over $1 per day to feed his family of seven.
Nasr attributes the hardship to the broader economic collapse and foreign aggression since 2015, in a context where more than 18 million Yemenis face hunger due to conflict, inflation, and declining aid.

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Story summary

Mehdi Galeb Nasr, a resident of Sanaa, Yemen, lost his job selling ice cream after deteriorating eyesight.
He now collects plastic bottles for a little over $1 per day to feed his family of seven.
Nasr attributes the hardship to the broader economic collapse and foreign aggression since 2015, in a context where more than 18 million Yemenis face hunger due to conflict, inflation, and declining aid.