The Cost of Conflict: Hunger Surges in Yemen Amid Aid Disruption and Staff Detentions
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The World Food Programme (WFP) has revealed that the suspension of all its activities in Houthi-controlled areas of northern Yemen remains in effect, amid a dangerous deterioration in the population’s nutritional status.
A report issued by the WFP indicated that 61% of surveyed Yemeni households were unable to obtain sufficient food during the month of November, an indicator that exposes the widening food insecurity crisis in the country.
The report added that 35% of Yemeni households suffer from severe food shortages, with all governorates crossing the “extreme danger” threshold. This reflects the fragility of the humanitarian situation facing Yemen as a result of ongoing conflicts.
Regarding the security situation, the report confirmed that authorities in Sana’a detained nine additional WFP employees on December 18, along with four employees from other UN agencies. This brings the total number of detained WFP staff in northern Yemen to 38 individuals, in addition to 34 detained employees from other United Nations agencies.
The WFP clarified that the suspension of its activities continues in areas under Houthi control. The program persists in its demands to the relevant authorities for the immediate release of all detained staff to ensure the resumption of vital humanitarian support to the affected population.
