Yemen sees return to alarming levels of food insecurity

The second Humanitarian Senior Officials Meeting on Yemen took place virtually in Brussels. The encounter was designed to take stock of the deteriorating situation in Yemen and the severely underfunded levels of resources available to support the humanitarian response to the crisis there.

Co-organized with the European Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the meeting brought together key stakeholders active in the country. Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative Yemen, joined participants to discuss the drivers of the crisis and the elements of effective humanitarian and development assistance.

In many areas of the country, Yemenis have reached critical levels of hunger, following years of conflict and a deteriorating economy. Worsening conditions over the coming months could lead to a risk of famine unless decisive action is taken. The Desert Locust is another problem that threatens to exacerbate food insecurity and further undermine livelihoods in the country and across East Africa.

‘’Responding to immediate needs and ensuring long-term investments that address the drivers of poverty, building farmers’ resilience, and restoring productive assets, are key for a sustainable recovery,’’ stressed Representative Gadain.