Intense conflict causes forced displacement of thousands of families; it is estimated that more than 18 million people, about half the population, face acute food insecurity; WFP announces expansion of emergency response.
With the worsening crisis in Yemen, the UN is expanding its food aid operations to contain the spread of hunger in the country.
The escalation of armed conflicts has already forced the displacement of thousands of families, leaving approximately 18 million people, more than half of the Yemeni population, in acute food insecurity.
Deterioration of the conflict
In light of this alarming scenario, the World Food Programme,WFP, has announced the immediate expansion of its emergency response.
The recent intensification of fighting has affected communities that were already living on the edge of subsistence. Since the beginning of the new offensives, approximately 125,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
The impact is felt most strongly by the most vulnerable: more than 2 million children under five are facing acute malnutrition, of whom 500,000 are in critical condition, facing imminent death.
The dependence on external sources further exacerbates the situation, as Yemen imports approximately 90% of its food. With active fighting, blocked markets, and disrupted trade routes, access to food for the population has been drastically reduced.
Emergency food aid
In response, the WFP, which has already assisted 45,000 people affected recently, is preparing to extend emergency food aid to another 1.5 million residents.
However, ensuring this assistance faces serious obstacles. The WFP warns that lack of funding and insecurity in the field, with attacks on facilities and road blockades, threaten to disrupt operations.
The UN agency emphasizes that ensuring unrestricted access for humanitarian teams and the rapid transfer of resources are vital measures to prevent an even greater tragedy.
Humanitarian security
Access and funding restrictions continue to hinder humanitarian response, compounded by security incidents that affect humanitarian facilities, supplies, and movement.
In this context, the director and representative of the WFP in the country emphasized that the provision of assistance and the security of the humanitarian community are fundamental and must be ensured.
El-Khidir Daloum added that, without safe access to affected communities and without timely and flexible funding, humanitarian operations may not reach families in this critical moment.