As the evening approaches, Abdul Wahid Yahya does not end his workday at the Ministry of Health in the temporary capital of Aden; instead, he begins a second shift at a nearby popular restaurant that stretches into the midnight hours. This additional job is a desperate attempt to earn extra income to alleviate the burden of living costs that his government salary can no longer cover. Abdul Wahid, who manages the archives at the Ministry, earns 73,000 Yemeni rials (approximately $40) a month, supporting a family of nine. He expresses deep frustration, stating that his salary lasts only a few days against the rising demands of life.

Ten years ago, his salary equivalent was around $300, sufficient to meet his family's basic needs. However, due to the continuous collapse of the local currency and escalating prices, his current salary holds little real value. He has resorted to borrowing two million Yemeni rials from relatives and friends over the years, yet he still struggles to repay them. Despite working nearly double shifts, Abdul Wahid finds that what he earns is barely enough to cover essential items such as a bag of rice and a can of oil, illustrating the severe economic distress faced by ordinary Yemenis today, who are compelled to adapt to an ever-deteriorating financial landscape.

This situation highlights the broader implications of Yemen's economic instability, where many are forced into multiple jobs to make ends meet. As the currency continues to lose value and inflation surges, the stories of individuals like Abdul Wahid underscore the plight of the average Yemeni, who grapples not only with financial challenges but also with the emotional and social strains of supporting their families under such dire conditions. The struggle for survival is not just economic; it encapsulates the widespread uncertainty and hardship inflicted by the ongoing crisis in Yemen.