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WFP Yemen Food Security Update, January 2023

Highlights

The monthly average value of the Yemeni rial (YER) depreciated by seven percent at end of December, compared to end of the previous month in areas under the internationally recognized government of Yemen (IRG). Nonetheless, the rial lost 28 percent of its value against the US dollar since the beginning of 2022.

The improved fuel supply in Yemen was associated with decreasing prices of fuel for the fifth consecutive month, countrywide.

In December, the global FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) continued to decline for the ninth month in a row, recording a 17 percent decrease from the all-time high level reached in March 2022.

Despite the recent decrease in the cost of the minimum food basket (MFB) during the last four months of the year, the economic capacity of households to access food remains constrained. In areas under IRG the cost of MFB increased by 17 percent during 2022.

The announced truce in April has improved the fuel supply through Red Sea ports into Yemen during 2022. The total volume of imported fuel through the northern ports of Al Hodeidah and As Salif in 2022 was nearly four times the level of imports reported in 2021.

During 2022, the volume of food imports through the northern ports of Al Hodeidah and Salif was 11 percent higher than in 2021; it decreased by 46 percent in the southern ports of Aden and Mukalla. The decrease of food imports in tons in the south equates to around two times the increase in the north and hence results in a net decrease in food imports during 2022.

Base on the increase in funding for food assistance in Yemen since September 2022, WFP is currently targeting 13 million people each distribution cycle nationwide. However, WFP still distributes reduced rations equivalent to 65 percent of the standard food basket

Food insecurity is concerning nationwide. Adequate food consumption remained beyond reach for 53 percent of the surveyed families in IRG-controlled areas and 47 percent in areas under Sana’a-based authorities.

Source: World Food Programme