Hunger increasing in Yemen, record number of people unable to meet food needs, WFP warns
Yemen is experiencing the most serious escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi group since a UN-brokered truce largely halted cross-border attacks in 2022.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that hunger in Yemen is rapidly worsening as conflict escalates in the country. The organization reported on Friday that a record number of people are now unable to meet their basic food needs. The conflict has reached its most intense level since a UN-brokered truce largely ended cross-border attacks between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthi group in 2022.
This renewed fighting has already displaced tens of thousands of people and could significantly alter the power dynamics in Yemen, potentially impacting crucial Red Sea shipping lanes and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
According to Matthew Hollingworth, the WFP's Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations, a record number of people in government-controlled areas of Yemen are now no longer able to meet their food needs within just a few weeks. Hollingworth stated that three out of every four households in these areas are skipping meals.
The total population of government-held areas is estimated to be around 10 million people. Hollingworth expressed grave concern over the impact of the latest flare-up of insecurity on the food security situation, warning that it "threatens to be absolutely devastating." He spoke to reporters in Geneva via video link from Rome.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Record numbers going hungry in Yemen amid escalating conflict, WFP says middleeasteye.net
- Record numbers going hungry in Yemen amid escalating conflict, WFP says al-monitor.com
- Three in four families go hungry in parts of Yemen from new fighting channelnewsasia.com
