Attachments
Key highlights:
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There was a seasonal improvement in food security situation in October 2023 in line with typical increase in food availability and improved income from agricultural labour opportunities and own production following the start of harvests in the highlands. The prices of essential food items also remained relatively stable during 2023 Q3. The improvements are expected to persist through the end of the of 2023.
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The Cyclone Tej that struck Southern Yemen Coast in late October 2023 destroyed homes and public infrastructure, displaced thousands, and disrupted livelihoods, the most affected areas were Al-Ghaydah and Al-Haswain districts of Al-Maharah and Ar Raydah Wa Qusaia’r District of Hadramawt to relatively to a small extent, Socotra (669 households), increasing humanitarian needs.
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The exchange rate between the YER and the US $ has been relatively stable in SBA controlled areas but depreciated slightly in GoY controlled areas in quarter 4 of 2023, the latter linked to limited foreign exchange earnings, which continues to put pressure on food prices.
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Despite the recent easing in global crude oil prices, diesel and petrol prices increased rapidly in GoY controlled areas in the last three months of the year. The jump in fuel prices in GoY controlled areas were due to weakened YER against the US dollar and reduced fuel supplies through Aden & Mukalla Ports. Fuel prices in SBA controlled areas remained relatively stable during the reporting period.
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The cost of the Minimum Food Basket (MFB) increased in Yemen in quarter 4 of 2023 compared to the previous quarter, but at a relatively higher rate in GoY areas (7%) than in SBA areas (4%). Compared to the same time last year, the cost of the MFB and the prices of the items that comprise the basket increased in GoY areas (9 - 23 percent) but decreased in SBA areas by 3-18 percent.
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The food security situation is expected to deteriorate from January through February 2024 in most of the areas in the country in line with seasonal trends and reduced humanitarian food assistance particularly in the SBA areas. However, there will be a temporary reprieve in March – May 2023 during Ramadhan and Eid festivities as Zakat, remittances and other transfers will increase.