As the people in Yemen continue to bear the brunt of years of conflict, food security continues to be one of the biggest challenges they face everyday.
Updated 16 Oct 2022
Food insecurity is a big challenge in Yemen after years of conflict.
October 16th: World Food Day
Every year, October 16 marks World Food Day - a global event to raise awareness the importance of food security and highlight the challenges people face across the world. In Yemen, more than seven years of conflict have destroyed lives and decimated the economy, driving high levels of food insecurity for millions of people.
Mohammed Yahya, father of four, speaks out about the challenges he has been having in order to provide his family with one basic right; food.
"We had to flee from our home due to bombing. We lost our house, and now, we have no where to return to," started Mohammed. After his brother was severely injured due to a landmine, his family moved in with Mohammed's, making Mohammed the sole provider to a family of 15.
Prior to our displacement, I owned a small grocery store and made enough money to support the family. Today, I barely make 1000 - 2500 Yemeni Riyal [less than USD 5].
Mohammed
Struggling to survive
Working on a motorcycle for delivery and transportation, many days Mohammed does not make any money and goes home empty handed. "I need 8000 Yemeni Riyal [USD 30] to be able to provide for my family," he added.
As the family struggles to survive on Mohammed's unsteady income, food has become the family's biggest need. With his current situation, a family of 15 do not know where their next meal is going to come from, or whether it will come at all. The current level of hunger in Yemen is indeed unprecedented. Despite ongoing humanitarian assistance, 17.4 million Yemenis are food insecure and in need of assistance to ward off the risk of famine.
We've had to sell mattresses and some other items around the house to be able to buy flour and cook at home.
Mohammed
Seven years of conflict
More than seven years of conflict have decimated Yemen’s economy and left many unable to afford to feed their families, even while food is readily available. The depreciation of the currency in Internationally Recognized Group (IRG) controlled areas of Yemen, together with conflict-related restrictions on trade and investment, the war in Ukraine and the ensuing disruption of the global food supply chain, has resulted in rising food prices.
With the support of the Danish Refugee Council, funded by the World Food Programme (WFP), Mohammed started receiving food baskets, which have become a lifeline for the family.
"Regularly receiving the food assistance from DRC has made our lives so much better. It has given me one less thing to worry about," said Mohammed.
Refusal to extend the truce in Yemen makes millions of already at risk Yemenis, more vulnerable than ever.
The future for Mohammed, and millions of families like his, remains uncertain. On 2 October, parties to the conflict failed to renew an unprecedented 6-month truce.
While some of the conditions of the truce continue to hold, a return to conflict will put the lives of civilians at risk and further drive food insecurity.
At the same time, funding for the humanitarian response in Yemen continues to decrease year on year, even while needs remain high.
Longer-term support is needed, including building livelihoods opportunities, to ensure that people like Mohammed can reduce their dependence on food baskets and support their families for the long-term.
I hope that life will return to what it used to be; feeling safe and having work opportunities. We just need peace and safety, and the Yemeni people will only move forward. I hope my children will have a better future and never have to go through what we are going through.
