Aden (South24 Center)

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) stated in a report published on Friday, October 31, that approximately 61 percent of households in Yemen struggle to meet their minimum food needs, and cited the 2025 Global Hunger Index to say that ”hunger remains alarming” in Yemen. It warned that available indicators point to deteriorating conditions, which could push the country to the “extremely alarming” category.

The report added that all Yemeni governorates remained above the 20 percent threshold for very poor food consumption, with the highest rates recorded in Al-Bayda, Lahj, Raymah, Al-Dhalea, and Al-Jawf, ranging between 43 and 48 percent.

The report indicated that nearly half of Yemeni households reduce adult food consumption to provide for children.

The WFP noted that internally displaced persons (IDPs) are among the most vulnerable groups, with 42 percent experiencing moderate to severe hunger, compared to 26 percent among the resident population. It said 8 percent of IDPs relied on begging to secure food, a figure that rises to 13 percent in the displacement camps.

The report highlighted that Yemeni children suffer from severely limited dietary diversity, with over one-third of sick children under five years old experiencing diarrhea, putting them at risk of acute malnutrition. The prevalence was higher in Houthi-controlled areas (36 percent) compared to government-held areas (29 percent).

In areas controlled by the internationally recognized government, the price of the essential food basket decreased by 6 percent compared to the previous month and 16 percent compared to the previous year,-- in the largest annual decline since the crisis began, driven by the improved exchange rate and lower fuel prices.

However, the report noted that foreign currency reserves remain at critical levels, while public debt exceeded 100 percent of GDP by mid-2025.

The WFP stated that according to the 2025 Global Peace Index, Yemen is the fifth least peaceful country globally, adding that attacks on Red Sea ports led to a 23 percent decline in food imports and a 26 percent drop in fuel imports during the first nine months of the year compared to 2024.

The report also highlighted that WFP operations have completely halted in North Yemen since August 31, while the program has completed five rounds of food assistance in government-controlled areas, with the sixth round currently underway.