Int’l organization: Food insecurity in southern Yemeni provinces increased by 11%

SANAA, July 03 (YPA) – The level of food insecurity increased by more than 11% in the city of Aden and the rest of the southern provinces under the control of the Saudi-led coalition during the month of May compared to the same period last year.

A report issued by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported a continued deterioration in the nutritional situation in the southern regions, which increased continuously until last May by 11%.

The report indicated that the rate of insufficient food consumption among families in the southern provinces rose to 53.7% due to the rise in food prices and the continued collapse of the local currency in Aden and the rest of the southern regions, while in areas under the government of Sanaa, it decreased by 41.3% due to the interruption of food aid.

The report made clear that the provinces of Abyan, Bayda, Jawf, Hajjah, Lahj, Shabwa, and Taiz witnessed the highest rates of food insecurity, with the situation worsening due to the decline in purchasing power among citizens.

The UN agency called for expanding the scope of providing emergency food assistance and targeted livelihoods, especially in the most needy areas, which have witnessed a sharp deterioration in food security.

Last November, the World Food Program (WFP) announced a sudden cutoff of humanitarian aid to nearly nine million people in areas controlled by the Sanaa government following the implementation of military operations against Israeli ships under allegations of limited funding.

YPA