The World Food Programme's Q3-2023 report about food security in Yemen shows positive trends in conflict, imports, and global food prices, but deteriorating local food and fuel prices.
Summary
Yemen Food Security Quarterly Review for Q3-2023
• The report by the World Food Programme (WFP) shows significant changes in Yemen's food security landscape.
• Conflict, import levels, and global food prices showed positive trends, but local food and fuel prices and exchange rates deteriorated in internationally recognized government-controlled areas.
• Yemen experienced the third-worst levels of hunger in the world in 2023, according to the 2023 Global Hunger Index score.
• The World Food Programme (WFP) has reduced some of its life-saving programs, with General Food Assistance suspended in areas under Sana’a-based authorities.
• The report also discusses the impact of conflict and exchange rate on food security, with the Yemeni riyal depreciating by 22% against the US dollar in internationally recognized government-controlled areas.
• The report also highlights the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in accessing sustainable livelihoods and coping with food shortages.
The Yemen Food Security Quarterly Review for Q3-2023 highlights significant developments in the country's food security landscape. The report, issued by WFP, reveals that while some key drivers of food insecurity improved across Yemen during this period, various factors exhibited regional variations.
Conflict, import levels, and global food prices showed positive trends, yet local prices of food and fuel, along with the exchange rate, deteriorated in internationally recognized government-controlled areas while relatively improving in areas under Sana'a-based authorities.
The report indicates that half of the surveyed households in Yemen had inadequate food consumption, with families in the south experiencing higher levels of food insecurity compared to those in the north.
Yemen experienced the third-worst levels of hunger in the world in 2023, according to the 2023 Global Hunger Index score. Moreover, the report points out that the current pledges for food assistance are alarmingly low, compelling the World Food Programme (WFP) to reduce some of its life-saving programs. As of December 2023, General Food Assistance has been suspended in areas under Sana’a-based authorities, and an agreement was reached to reduce the assistance caseload to 6.5 million in the north, down from the previous 9.5 million.
The report also delves into specific areas of concern, such as the impact of conflict and the exchange rate on food security. It notes that military de-escalation in Yemen has led to a reduction in civilian casualties and displacement. However, localized clashes persist on various frontlines.
The Yemeni riyal depreciated by 22 percent against the US dollar in internationally recognized government-controlled areas, largely due to low levels of foreign currency reserves and the decline in crude oil exports and remittance inflows. In contrast, the exchange rate in areas under Sana’a-based authorities appreciated by seven percent compared to the previous year, mainly due to control measures implemented by the authorities in Sana'a to restrict the transfer of foreign currency to areas outside their control.
The report also highlights the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in accessing sustainable livelihoods and coping with food shortages, emphasizing that the continued disruption of their livelihoods and restricted access to income-generating activities have made it more difficult for IDPs to meet their essential needs.
Furthermore, it addresses the availability and prices of fuel and food imports, as well as the impact on food insecurity. The cumulative volume of fuel imports through Al Hodeidah and Salif increased by 23 percent compared to the same period in 2022, and total food imports increased year-on-year by two percent via the northern ports of Al Hodeidah and Salif and by 21 percent through the southern ports of Aden and Mukalla.
However, the report also indicates that food insecurity increased by nine percent during Q3-2023 compared to the previous quarter. The trends of food insecurity in Yemen during Q3-2023 are consistent with the seasonal pattern depicted during the last two years, and the country was ranked as the third-highest in the Global Hunger Index.
In addition, the report discusses the level of humanitarian food assistance and the impact of global food prices. It mentions that until the end of Q3-2023, WFP continued to assist 13 million people each distribution cycle, albeit with a reduced ration equivalent to around 640 kcal/person/day, affecting more than two million people. It also provides insights into the global FAO Food Price Index, which showed a declining trend during Q3-2023, largely driven by recent increases in global food supplies.
Overall, the Yemen Food Security Quarterly Review for Q3-2023 sheds light on the dynamic and complex food security situation in Yemen, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained humanitarian efforts and support.
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