Economic earthquake threatens Yemen millions to hunger

ADEN, May 29 (YPA) – The labor group in the coalition-held Aden port warned on Thursday a catastrophic economic earthquake that may push millions into hunger and extreme poverty.

Saeed bin Aboud Al-Maari, head of the Aden Port Workers Committee, said, “The rumors about the coalition-backed Aden government’s intention to raise the customs dollar exchange rate to 1,500 riyals instead of 700 riyals would be a disastrous move devastating to citizens’ livelihoods.

He asked: “How can it be reasonable to burden the exhausted citizen with more burdens, while wasting money on channels that do not serve the people?”

He affirmed his absolute rejection of any decision to raise the customs dollar, calling for the exemption of basic and food commodities from this burden. “Hunger is not a number that can be modified on paper”.

Al-Maari called on all labor groups, media professionals, activists, and free people to join forces to stop this decision.

Aden government’s move to raise the customs dollar exchange rate came amid a complete collapse in living standards and services in Aden and the rest of Yemen’s southern and eastern provinces, as well as to the continued decline of the Yemeni riyal against foreign currencies.

AA