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According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Technical Working Group in Yemen, Governement of Yemen (GoY)-controlled areas of the country have seen a significant and rapid increase in acute malnutrition. By the end of this year, over 118,000 people are expected to be experiencing severe acute malnutrition. This represents an increase of 34 percent from 2023, according to the IPC.
The latest IPC analysis states that in the period November 2023-June 2024, 60 percent of districts in GoY-controlled areas were classified as IPC Phase 3 or above food insecurity. Three districts—two in Hodeidah Souther lowland and one in Taiz lowland—experienced IPC Phase 5 acute food insecurity, with an additional district in Taiz lowland anticipated to reach this extremely critical level by October 2024.
Several factors are contributing to the ongoing crisis, according to the IPC:
- Lack of food access and consumption. From January-June 2024, 3.6 million people received food assistance equaling 40 percent of the WFP food basket, compared to 5 million people receiving 67 percent in 2022. Many households have resorted to emergency coping strategies and are reporting severe or very severe hunger scores.
- Lack of food affordability: The local currently has continued to depreciate against the U.S. dollar throughout 2024 due to the country’s low foreign current reserves, falling crude oil imports, and ongoing banking crisis. Fuel prices have also continued to rise, driving up the domestic cost of food and other essential goods. The cost of the minimum WFP food basket rose by 9 percent in May 2024 compared to May 2023 prices. The cost of individual staple food items like rice, beans, and wheat flour rose between 8 and 38 percent in the same period.
- Large internally displaced populations. While the growth of internally displaced and migrant populations has slowed in recent months, host communities and IPD populations continue to experience reduced food availability and affordability and lack of basic health and hygiene services.
- Poor sanitation. This lack of access to basic services, including safe water, has resulted in a health and hygiene crisis. Between 21 and 96 percent of households in some GoY-controlled districts do not have access to safe drinking water, and many areas of the country have seen outbreaks of measles, cholera, and severe diarrhea. The impacts on children under 5 are expected to be particularly catastrophic.
To address Yemen’s growing food and health crisis, the IPC states, urgent international support and an end to the country’s years of conflict are needed. In addition, prioritization must be given to rebuilding the country’s basic health, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems and strengthening existing social protection programs.
Sara Gustafson is a freelance communications consultant.