UN warns of imminent famine in Yemen

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups

Arab Sea - Yemen - Follow-ups: The United Nations has called for immediate international action to address the sharp deterioration in food security levels in Yemen and prevent the widespread risk of famine from worsening. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination at the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told the Security Council on Tuesday that preventing famine in Yemen is possible, but requires an urgent increase in humanitarian funding to expand emergency food assistance and ensure it reaches the most vulnerable groups before it is too late. On behalf of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, he noted that Yemen is one of the most food-insecure countries in the world, adding: "With the collapse of the economy and the disruption of livelihoods by the ongoing conflict, and increasing pressure on food supplies, many families are unable to afford it." According to Rajasingham, more than 17 million people in Yemen are suffering from hunger, and the number could rise to 18 million by next February, while half of children under the age of five face acute malnutrition, and about half of them suffer from stunting. He explained that the risk of children dying from common diseases is 9 to 12 times higher than global rates, in light of a severe shortage of health care and the absence of basic support services. The UN official pointed out that the situation has reached tragic levels in some areas, noting that a needs assessment mission last July, in displacement camps in Abs District, Hajjah Governorate, documented cases of children from displaced families dying of hunger slowly and silently, a daily reality for thousands of families across the country. Emphasizing that humanitarian aid is able to keep people alive temporarily, but reaching a comprehensive political solution remains the only way to end the cycle of violence, stop the economic deterioration, and alleviate the escalating human suffering.