Five million people are reportedly in need of emergency food aid in Yemen with the numbers growing. The country is on the brink of a large scale food crisis affecting nearly half the population.

Armed conflict and widespread instability has led to a massive need for food aid in Yemen. Nearly every second person in Yemen is now estimated to be affected by the lack of access to food – with 10 million Yemenis undernourished and half of them in need of emergency assistance for their survival.
The Danish Refugee Council has been present in Yemen since 2008 working with a number of projects in support of conflict affected and displaced populations as well as migrants and refugees arriving from the region. The instability in Yemen has caused major displacements with local authorities there reporting that nearly 500,000 Yemenis have been forced to leave their homes due to armed conflict.

‘It is extremely worrying to see the pace of the humanitarian crisis developing in Yemen. We are closely monitoring the situation in Yemen right now and are preparing to increase activities. Having a network of offices and staff in Yemen we will be able to assist in directing resources and assistance towards the populations in need, says Peter Klansoe, regional director for the Danish Refugee Council’s programme in Horn of Africa and Yemen.

Among the 10 million people currently estimated to be affected by the growing food crisis are one million children under five who are suffering from acute malnutrition. In addition to interventions to address the food crisis are needs for access to medical aid, clean water, hygiene and sanitation programmes as well as assistance to people who have lost their livelihoods.