HARI SREENIVASAN:

For the past three years, a Saudi-led coalition has bombed and battled Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who control Yemen's major cities. Yemen shares a border with Saudi Arabia and the Saudis receive military equipment bombs and intelligence from the United States and the United Kingdom. The war is at a stalemate but the consequences are a catastrophe for civilians. This week, New York Times photographer Tyler Hicks and reporter Declan Walsh documented the threat of a massive famine in their interactive essay "The Tragedy of Saudi Arabia's War," which included photos you may find disturbing.

Declan Walsh joins us now via Skype from Cairo. You're talking about an economic or an income famine — one that is preventable. You use one of the characters, Mr. Hijaji here to help tell the story. Tell us.