World Food Programme: Acute food deprivation levels in Yemen reach 44%

Arab Sea Newspaper - News Updates

Arabian Sea - Yemen - Follow-ups: The World Food Programme said that acute food deprivation levels in Yemen have reached 44%, the highest in years. In its latest report, the program warned of an unprecedented deterioration in living conditions, stressing that seven out of ten families are still unable to obtain sufficient food. The report explained that the highest rates were recorded in the governorates of Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, and Lahj, with widespread reliance on harsh coping strategies, such as reducing food consumption, especially among the displaced and female-headed households. The report indicated that areas under the control of the Houthi militia may witness, during next September, the emergence of population pockets in Phase 5 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC 5), i.e., the level of famine. The program pointed out that food and fuel prices recorded record levels last July due to the decline of the Yemeni riyal in the areas of the internationally recognized government, before a monetary measure by the Central Bank in Aden led to an improvement in the exchange rate in August, which was reflected in a relative decrease in prices, but it was not proportional to the strength of the currency, amid fears of the fragility of these gains. The report also showed a decline in fuel imports through Red Sea ports in June and July to their lowest level in three years, due to infrastructure damage exceeding $1.3 billion, warning that any fuel shortage may hinder grain milling operations and raise flour prices, despite existing price restrictions. It also confirmed that food imports through various Yemeni ports recorded a slight decrease of 4% from January to July 2025 compared to last year, as a result of a decrease in flows through ports under the control of the Houthi militia authorities in Sana'a, compared to a slight increase in government ports.