UN sounds alarm over falling imports at crucial Yemen port

Operations at the Yemeni port of al-Hodeidah have fallen by nearly 50% over the past two weeks, the UN said Tuesday (November 27th).

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that imports have fallen substantially "because of the high levels of insecurity in the city", AFP reported.

"Operations at al-Hodeidah port have decreased by 47% over the past two weeks," WFP spokesman Herve Verhoosel said.

If this situation persists or further deteriorates, he said, it would have a "drastic impact on food availability and prices in the markets", and would make it increasingly difficult for Yemeni families to afford their basic needs.

The UN estimates 70% of all imports come through the port of al-Hodeidah.

Humanitarian shipments into the Red Sea port have remained steady over the past two weeks, but falling commercial imports could force more families to rely on food aid.

WFP is currently supporting some eight million people in Yemen, but another 20 million rely entirely on commercial food imports.

UN agencies say 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation.

Do you like this article?

0 Comment(s)

Comment Policy * Denotes Required Field 1500 / 1500