Of all the perils facing Yemen, from political unrest to Al Qaeda, it's the silent threat of hunger that is the most dangerous.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says 5 million Yemenis are facing severe hunger. That number is about equal to the population of Massachusetts. Lubna Alaman, WFP county director says, "almost one quarter of the Yemeni population needs emergency food assistance now."
A young Yemeni woman shows her World Food Programme cash transfer card at the Hajjah Post Office. The cash allows her to buy food and medicine for her family. Many Yemenis depend entirely on aid agencies as poverty escalates. (WFP/ Ali Al-Homeidy)
An additional 5 million Yemenis are on the brink of joining the severe hunger ranks as they too face "food insecurity." About 10 million Yemenis are facing either severe or moderate hunger. Now you are talking about a starving population equal to that of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Even before the Arab Spring unfolded, Yemen suffered from hunger and high rates of malnutrition. Efforts to provide humanitarian aid were underfunded. Then the country, already the poorest in the Middle East, plunged further toward chaos.
Protesters called for the removal of long-time President Saleh and political unrest and violence followed. Al Qaeda stepped up attacks in Southern Yemen, causing massive displacement.
Food prices rose sharply in 2011 across the globe. Since Yemen imports a great deal of its food supply, the country fell victim once again to what WFP calls a "silent tsunami." Yemeni families started to skip meals and this increased malnutrition.
This hunger attack is devastating the future of Yemen, it's children. In the governorate of Al Mahweet, WFP says 63.5% of the children are suffering from stunted growth. This lack of food impairs a child's ability to grow and learn. The future of Yemen is therefore stunted.
Article comments