Attachments
JOINT SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
Yemen faces one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. In the wake of more than eight years of conflict, in 2023, 21.6 million people require humanitarian assistance or protection. The crisis, primarily driven by prolonged conflict and economic collapse, is further exacerbated by critical funding gaps, global inflation and access challenges. The severity of the situation is underscored by widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, health, water and sanitation, and protection needs. This encompasses 17.3 million people in need of food and agricultural assistance, more than 20.3 million people who lack access to vital health services and another 15.3 million people in need of clean water and basic sanitation needs. An estimated 4.5 million people, 14 per cent of the population, are currently displaced.
During the truce from April to November 2022, a substantial decrease in hostilities led to a 50 per cent reduction in direct civilian casualties. However, since the truce has ended, the situation has remained tense and precarious without returning to full-scale conflict. The six-month period following the truce’s conclusion saw an inspiring yet cautious optimism. Displacement figures dropped, a reliable flow of fuel imports was established through Al Hodeidah port, and commercial flights once again took to the skies from Sana’a International Airport. Nevertheless, intermittent conflicts have persisted in areas such as Taiz and Al-Dale’. Landmines and war remnants still pose a significant risk, particularly in regions where civilian movement has increased.
The economic landscape of Yemen remains fragile, with vulnerabilities deepening among low-income families. Contributing factors include the depreciation of the Yemeni currency rial, macroeconomic instability, the fragmentation of economic institutions, and the issuance of conflicting monetary policies, all culminating in a stark decrease in household purchasing power.
The conflict, deteriorating economy, and recurrent natural hazards have severely impacted Yemen’s public services and infrastructure. More than 80 per cent of the country’s population currently struggles to access food, safe drinking water and adequate health services. Most public sector workers, including vital professionals like teachers and healthcare workers, have not received a regular income in years. An estimated 17.7 million individuals now find themselves in urgent need of protection services, facing threats from landmines, explosive remnants of war, and unexploded ordnance. With the ongoing challenges of 2023, continued breaches of international humanitarian and international human rights laws, and heightened vulnerabilities among internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, people with disabilities and older persons, the need for comprehensive protection services remains exceedingly high.
Despite some progress, Yemen continues to grapple with food insecurity, and according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partial analysis, the number of people facing severe acute food insecurity remains high. Yemen’s heavy reliance on imported food and goods leaves it extremely vulnerable to global market volatility. The recent crisis in Ukraine has further strained international supply chains, intensified the global food insecurity crisis and led to a surge in food prices within Yemeni markets. Furthermore, the situation is projected to worsen. By December 2023, 41 per cent of Yemenis will be categorized under Crisis and Emergency levels of food insecurity. The main drivers of this deterioration include a projected 20 per cent shortfall in humanitarian assistance, an anticipated increase in food and fuel prices, to about 30 per cent above the average levels, and a continuation of conflict.
As per the recent IPC acute malnutrition analysis, the malnutrition situation in Yemen is rapidly worsening. Hundreds of thousands of children are projected to be acutely malnourished, and an estimated 17 million people, or around 60 per cent of the population, are facing crisis-level or acute food insecurity conditions as of March 2023. Malnutrition is caused by a combination of factors, including food insecurity, poor food quality, disease outbreaks, low immunization coverage, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and high levels of illness. The extremely high food insecurity deprives children of sufficient food.
Yemen’s vulnerability to climate change is palpable in 2023. Natural hazards such as severe seasonal flooding and droughts disrupt livelihoods and services, force families to leave their homes and increase existing vulnerabilities, including heavy rains and flooding, leading to increased displacement in the second quarter of 2023.
Yemen’s severe water crisis, intensified by conflict and climate change, leaves the majority without clean water, with the UN warning of a total depletion by 2025. Most of Yemen is considered at high risk of water scarcity, with the country’s water crisis being among the worst in the world. About 18 million people lack access to safe water and sanitation, and providing safe water will be one of the biggest problems people will encounter in the coming years. Complicating the issue is the fact that conflict has had a severe impact on water infrastructure. The humanitarian situation remains bleak, and sustained humanitarian assistance is needed to prevent further deterioration. In parallel, increased focus on collaboration between humanitarian, development and peace actors is key to delivering more sustainable solutions, including rebuilding Yemen’s fragile economy and diminishing public services. Without restoring essential public services and infrastructure, people will continue to contend with malnutrition, disease outbreaks, poor health outcomes and a loss of opportunities.
In Yemen, the complex tapestry of governance, with its multiple authorities, creates a complex operational landscape for humanitarian efforts. This multifaceted reality demands a strategic approach to navigate the varied administrative controls and ensure that assistance reaches all population segments. The nation’s prospects hinge on resolving the conflict and improving overall security conditions. Until these are achieved, Yemen’s dependence on humanitarian assistance will continue.