on Tuesday 26 March, 2024
65 humanitarian organizations: Nine years of Houthi war leads Yemen's economy to the collapse
Nine years on: Economic downturn plunges millions into poverty in Yemen
“Yemeni women are capable and determined, but can’t perform miracles out of nothing”
65 international, regional, and Yemeni organizations have announced that 9 years of war ignited by the Houthis have led the country to an economic collapse, pushing millions into the depths of poverty.
As the conflict enters its tenth year on 26 March, four in every five Yemenis face poverty.
Today, Yemenis face catastrophic needs driven by the growing economic crisis and ongoing multifaceted conflict, exacerbating poverty and hunger. Half the Yemeni population more than 18 million people urgently need humanitarian assistance to survive.
The UN led truce, which expired in October 2022, has resulted in a reduction of hostilities. While truce conditions largely continue to be upheld, parties have yet to reach an agreement on urgently needed
measures to stabilize the economy. Rising inflation, irregular or delayed payment of civil servant salaries, and the collapse of basic services, have left people unable to meet their basic needs.
Yemen's economic landscape severely impacts food security, with staple food prices having surged by up to 45 per cent above the usual rates. The trend is projected to continue into 2024. This price escalation is paralleled by a worrying devaluation of the Yemeni Rial, which has seen a steep drop in its value in recent months, placing further stress on the purchasing power of Yemeni families.
Recent assessments have identified a 12 per cent increase in the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity at Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 3 (crisis) level or worse in IRG areas alone. The situation underscores the significant deterioration in the humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of the population in affected areas across the country struggling to meet minimal food requirements. The data reflects the reality of a deepening food security crisis that spans across the country, signaling a need for increased humanitarian assistance and economic support measures to assist those in the most vulnerable situations.
New figures from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveal that more than four in every five people in Yemen almost 83 per cent of the population live in multidimensional poverty.
These new findings are based on the first in person household surveys collected since the start of the conflict, that measure poverty across a range of dimensions including health, education, and living standards.
Lack of schooling and access to adequate sanitation were two of the most concerning dimensions of poverty affecting more than 70 per cent of the population4. Poverty tended to be higher in rural areas (89 per cent) than urban areas (67 per cent).
As a result, families are being forced to choose between food and education for their children, resulting in an increase in school dropouts, early marriage and child labor , exacerbating protection risks and vulnerabilities5.
By the end of 2023, the Humanitarian Response Plan ( was only 3 39.3 per cent funded, forcing many aid organizations to reduce or close critical assistance programs. This concerning trend continues with only 9.1 per cent of the HRP 2024 funded so far this year. Despite these challenges, humanitarian agencies continue to provid e life saving assistance. However, significant gaps in coverage and access to services persist. In a recent study, 15 per cent of surveyed households in Yemen reported having no access to any basic commodities including water, hygiene items, fuel, and medi cation, increasing to as much as 33 per cent in some governorates6. We urge all parties to uphold the principles that must guide our humanitarian efforts. We note with concern the current humanitarian funding situation. It is imperative that aid is alloca ted based on need alone, to prevent exacerbating the already dire conditions for those most in need. It is our collective responsibility to provide equitable support, fostering unity and healing divisions.
We recognize the complexities involved in coordinating international aid and the challenges that come with it. Yet we must strive to rise above these challenges, ensuring that the aid provided is a bridge to a more stable and prosperous future for all Yemenis. We call on all parties to address the underl ying economic drivers of the conflict and put Yemen on a path to lasting peace. The HRP 2024 of $2.7 billion must be fully funded to meet the urgent needs of approximately 11.2 million people that the humanitarian community aims to reach across the country.
We call upon the international community to respond with increased funding and support, to invest not only in the immediate needs but also in the long term recovery of Yemen.
Only together can we forge a path to recovery and peace for Yemen. As we mark nine years since the conflict, we must not turn away. Every day, the needs grow, and the gap in funding widens our unwavering commitment is more crucial than ever.
Signatories:
Action Contre la Faim (ACF)
Acted
Action For Humanity International
ADRA
CARE
Caritas Poland
CIVIC
Concern worldwide
Danish Refugee Council - DRC
Direct Aid
Geneva Call
Handicap International
International Medical Corps - IMC
INTERSOS
Medicine du Monde
Mercy Corps
Muslim Hands
Norwegian Refugee Council - NRC
Oxfam
People in Need
Polish Humanitarian Aid - PAH
Première Urgence Internationale - PUI
Qatar charity
Read Foundation
Relief International - RI
Safer world
Save the children
SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONA
Triangle Generation Humanitarian “TGH”
War Child Alliance
War Child Canada
Vision Hope International VHI
ZOA
Abyan Youth Foundation
Aden Promising Youth Foundation
Al Haya Foundation
Al-Ghaith for Human Development
Arman Development Foundation
Assistance for Response and Development
Badeel foundation for development
Basmat Development Foundation
Charitability Future society
Democracy School
Enqath Foundation For Development
Experts for Development
Future Pioneers Foundation for Training and Development
Ghadaq for Development
Hajjah Cultural and Development Foundation
Humanitarian Action Library -Yemen
Humanitarian Development Program
Humanity Bridge Organization for Response
Iradat Jareeh Foundation
MAAKUM FOUNDATION
Maisarah Development Foundation
Modern Social Association
Nahda Makers Organization
National prisoner Foundation
Neda'a Foundation for Development
Qaim Voluntary Team
Rowad Aid for Relief & Development
Sada Foundation for building and Development
Salam Yemen Foundation
Shibam Social Association For Development
Society for Humanitarian Solidarity
Tamdeen Youth Foundation
Welfare Association for student's care
Youth Hayat Group
Most read
Moscow says US hybrid war against Russia will turn into humiliation
Germany to send new frigate to protect ships in Red Sea
Lebanon’s Hezbollah says three fighters killed in Israeli strike
Ukraine says struck Russian ship in annexed Crimea
34,097 Palestinians killed in Israel’s offensive on Gaza since Oct 7: Ministry
