The World Food Program warns of the catastrophic repercussions of the Ukraine war on Yemen
English - Saturday 26 February 2022 الساعة 10:18 am
NewsYemen, AFP:
The World Food Program has warned that the war in Ukraine will likely increase fuel and food prices in war-torn Yemen, which could push more residents into starvation as aid funding dwindles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "military operation" against Ukraine, which pushed oil prices to cross the $100 per barrel mark. European wheat prices also hit a record high amid expectations of lower supplies, especially that Ukraine and Russia are among the world's largest wheat producers.
The World Food Program was forced to cut food rations for eight million people in Yemen, as more than seven years of civil war between the government and Houthi rebels pushed the country to the brink of famine.
"The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine is leading to an increase in fuel and food prices, especially grain, in Yemen, which is almost completely dependent on imports," the WFP said in a statement, Thursday evening.
"Food prices have doubled in most parts of Yemen over the past year, making more than half of the country in need of food aid," he added.
The UN program warned that "the rise in food prices will push more people into the vicious cycle of hunger and dependence on humanitarian assistance."
The program has repeatedly warned that funds are running out even though Yemen is going through what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
According to UN assessments, Yemen needs about $800 million in the next six months to provide full assistance to 13 million people.
This funding shortfall threatens aid for five million people in Yemen "on the brink of starvation", while eight million suffer from food shortages and are getting half of their normal food rations.
The largest donors to the World Food Program in Yemen are the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Germany, the European Union, Sweden, Canada and Switzerland.
The United Nations last year appealed to donor countries for $3.85 billion to fund aid costs, but only $1.7 billion was pledged at a conference for these countries.
"We have no choice but to feed the starving at the expense of the hungry, and unless we get urgent funding, in a few weeks we face the risk of not even being able to feed the hungry," the WFP said on Thursday, adding, "It would be hell on earth."
