Yemen Teeters on the Brink as Conflict and Economic Crisis Grind On (For the Media)

SANA’A – Yemen is at a tipping point as conflict and economic woes drag the country to the brink of famine and risk cancelling out the gains made through humanitarian action in the past few years, the United Nations World Food Programme warns today.
Conflict has escalated across more than 40 frontlines, the cost of basic foods is higher than ever before and the currency has lost 25 percent of its value in 2020 alone – 70 percent compared to its pre-war value. As the country’s foreign currency reserves tick towards zero Yemen’s ability to import food could also disappear, threatening more hunger for millions.
For the last six months, families in areas controlled by the Sana’a authorities have only received food assistance on alternate months as WFP has tried to stretch its limited resources and avoid full breaks in assistance. But this has made life harder for millions: in just three months people with inadequate food consumption in these areas increased from 28 to 43 percent, according to WFP data.