An international network forecasts a slight improvement in food access rates in Yemen this November.

Seasonal Harvest Offers Hope

An international network has forecasted a slight improvement in food access rates in Yemen as the seasonal harvest begins this month. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) released its third-quarter report, covering July to September 2024, highlighting the impact of the expanding conflict in the Middle East on regional food security.

According to the report, “Some limited seasonal improvements in households’ access to food and income are expected in lowland areas, the eastern plateau, and coastal regions of Yemen starting from the main harvest in mid-November.”

Ongoing Challenges Despite Harvest

The report noted that while the main harvest of sorghum, millet, and maize continues in the highland areas, many families still rely on markets for food. This dependence stems from years of prolonged conflict and a general economic downturn that has devastated the agricultural sector and displaced countless families.

Despite the anticipated improvements, FEWS NET emphasized that food insecurity in Yemen remains “concerning.” The network monitors multiple simultaneous shocks affecting the region, including the impacts of bombings on Red Sea ports and the ongoing cholera outbreak.

Widespread Food Insecurity Persists

The report indicates that acute food insecurity at crisis levels (IPC Phase 3) or worse will likely remain widespread in government-controlled areas of Yemen until January.

In areas controlled by the Houthis in the north, food insecurity remains critical. The lack of food aid distribution and the severe flooding experienced in recent months will continue to exacerbate the situation, keeping food insecurity at emergency levels (IPC Phase 4) during this period.

The findings highlight the ongoing struggle for food security in Yemen and the need for sustained humanitarian efforts to address these challenges.

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