Action Against Hunger reacts to the latest Integrated Security Classification (IPC) analysis from Yemen and reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

On December 5, the Integrated Security Classification (IPC), a landmark in the fight against food insecurity, declared a “catastrophic situation” in several parts of Yemen. Referring to its assessment results, the IPC highlights the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation brought on by a four-year deadly conflict. Action Against Hunger reiterates its call for the immediate cessation of hostilities in Yemen and emphasizes the need to ensure an adequate environment in which the aid system and humanitarian agencies can safely operate.

“20 million people in Yemen are in need of humanitarian assistance. Without a political solution, more aid will only prolong the agony of the Yemeni people. If peace is not brought about soon the blood of tens of thousands more Yemenis will be on the hands of the warring parties, as well as those who allow them to wage war with such impunity” said Jonathan Cunliffe, Regional Operations Director for Action Against Hunger in the Middle East.

A great number of Yemenis are marginally able to meet minimum food needs, which correspond to IPC Acute Food Insecurity Phase 3 (Crisis) and 4 (Emergency). Almost a quarter of a million people are barely surviving or under the “Catastrophic situation” or Phase 5 which means high level of acute malnutrition and excess mortality rate.

“The ongoing peace talks in Sweden should succeed to ensure cessation of the hostilities regarding the dramatic situation occurring in Yemen”, added Jonathan Cunliffe.

Together with other humanitarian organizations working in Yemen, Action Against Hunger will continue to improve its operations to reach the most vulnerable people. However, more efforts are required at national level, including more resources injected into the economy, so that ordinary people have more money to buy food and the essentials to survive.

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER IN YEMEN

Since the start of the devastating conflict, Action Against Hunger has been providing humanitarian assistance to affected populations across Yemen. Despite difficult access, our teams reached more than 600,000 beneficiaries in 2017. Our nutrition and health programs provide support for acutely malnourished children under five and their mothers; food security and livelihoods programs through the direct distribution of food or money and/or food coupons; and water, sanitation and hygiene programs including promotion and distribution of kits, and rehabilitation of water points and latrines. We have trained health workers and treated nearly 30,000 suspected cases of cholera at Action Against Hunger-supported hospital near Hodeidah.

AFP