Yemen Faces Unprecedented Hunger, Over Half of Households Affected

More than half of Yemeni households are struggling to secure enough food due to dire economic conditions and a prolonged halt in food aid to millions in the rebel-controlled north, according to the United Nations food agency on Monday. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that "severe food deprivation" has reached unprecedented levels in northern regions such as Al Jawf, Al Badya, Hajjah, Amran, and Al Hodeidah.

The WFP ceased food assistance to northern Yemen in December, citing limited funding and a lack of agreement with the rebel authorities on scaling down the programme. Additionally, the southern part of Yemen, governed by the internationally recognised government, is also experiencing "historic highs" of insufficient food consumption.

Economic Divide and Currency Devaluation

Yemen's civil war, which began in 2014, has devastated the economy, impacting exports and devaluing the local currency. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seized much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, in 2014, forcing the internationally recognised government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to try to restore the government.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC), an ally of the internationally recognised government backed by the United Arab Emirates, controls much of southern Yemen, including Aden. This rivalry has led to an economic divide with separate central banks and different versions of the Yemeni riyal.

Impact on Purchasing Power

As of Monday, the Yemeni riyal had plummeted to an all-time low of YER 1,841 per US dollar in Aden but remained stable at YER 530 per US dollar in Sanaa, according to the Yemen Press Agency. Economists attribute this significant devaluation in STC-controlled areas to low foreign currency reserves and reduced crude oil export revenue.

This depreciation affects people's purchasing power. In May, essential food items were available in markets across Yemen; however, vulnerable communities could not afford them due to price hikes in sugar, vegetable oil, wheat flour, and red beans.

Food Assistance Challenges

The WFP noted that despite the availability of essential food items in markets across Yemen in May, many vulnerable communities could not afford them. Price increases were observed for sugar, vegetable oil, wheat flour, and red beans.

Yemen's ongoing conflict has created an economic divide exacerbated by rival governments. The Houthi and STC administrations have established separate central banks and different versions of the Yemeni currency.

The economic situation is dire for many Yemenis. The depreciation of the Yemeni riyal in STC-controlled areas is due to low foreign currency reserves and a decline in crude oil export revenue.

The WFP's report highlights the severe impact of Yemen's civil war on its economy and food security. The conflict has pushed many households into severe food deprivation.

The WFP's cessation of food assistance to northern Yemen has worsened the situation. Limited funding and disagreements with rebel authorities have hindered efforts to provide aid.

The civil war has caused widespread suffering. The economic collapse has affected exports and devalued the local currency.

The Houthi rebels' capture of northern Yemen forced the internationally recognised government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition intervened but failed to restore stability.

The Southern Transitional Council governs much of southern Yemen. This UAE-backed group is allied with the internationally recognised government but operates independently.

Yemen's economic divide is evident in its currency values. The riyal's depreciation in Aden contrasts with its stability in Sanaa.

Economists link this disparity to low foreign currency reserves and reduced oil export revenue in STC-controlled areas.

Despite market availability of essential foods in May, many vulnerable communities couldn't afford them due to price hikes.

The WFP's report underscores the urgent need for international support to address Yemen's humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict continues to devastate lives and livelihoods across the country.