As the conflict enters its tenth year on March 26, four in every five Yemenis face poverty.

Aden, March 26, 2024 —Today, Yemenis face catastrophic needs driven by the growing economic crisis and ongoing multifaceted conflict, exacerbating poverty and hunger. Half the Yemeni population -more than 18 million people -urgently need humanitarian assistance to survive.

The UN-led truce, which expired in October 2022, has resulted in a reduction of hostilities. While truce conditions largely continue to be upheld, parties have yet to reach an agreement on urgently needed measures to stabilize the economy. Rising inflation, irregular or delayed payment of civil servant salaries, and the collapse of basic services, have left people unable to meet their basic needs.

Yemen’s economic landscape severely impacts food security, with staple food prices having surged by up to 45 percent above the usual rates. The trend is projected to continue into 2024. This price escalation is paralleled by a worrying devaluation of the Yemeni Rial, which has seen a steep drop in its value in recent months, placing further stress on the purchasing power of Yemeni families.

Recent assessments have identified a 12 percent increase in the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity atIntegrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 3 (crisis) level or worse in IRG areas alone. The situation underscores the significant deterioration in the humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of the population in affected areas across the country struggling to meet minimal food requirements. The data reflects the reality of a deepening food security crisis that spans across the country, signaling a need for increased humanitarian assistance and economic support measures to assist those in the most vulnerable situations.

New figures from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveal that more than four in every five people in Yemen –almost 83 percent of the population –live in multidimensional poverty.

These new findings are based on the first in-person household surveys collected since the start of the conflict, that measure poverty across a range of dimensions including health, education, and living standards.

Lack of schooling and access to adequate sanitation were two of the most concerning dimensions of poverty –affecting more than 70 percent of the population. Poverty tended to be higher in rural areas (89 percent) than urban areas (67 percent).

As a result, families are being forced to choose between food and education for their children, resulting in an increase in school dropouts, early marriage and child labor, exacerbating protection risks and vulnerabilities.

By the end of 2023, the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) was only 39.3 percent funded, forcing many aid organizations to reduce or close critical assistance programs. This concerning trend continues with only 9.1 percent of the HRP 2024 funded so far this year. Despite these challenges, humanitarian agencies continue to provide life-saving assistance. However, significant gaps in coverage and access to services persist. In a recent study, 15 percent of surveyed households in Yemen reported having no access to any basic commodities including water, hygiene items, fuel, and medication, increasing to as much as 33 percent in some governorates. We urge all parties to uphold the principles that must guide our humanitarian efforts. We note with concern the current humanitarian funding situation. It is imperative that aid is allocated based on need alone, to prevent exacerbating the already dire conditions for those most in need. It is our collective responsibility to provide equitable support, fostering unity and healing divisions.

We recognize the complexities involved in coordinating international aid and the challenges that come with it. Yet we must strive to rise above these challenges, ensuring that the aid provided is a bridge to a more stable and prosperous future for all Yemenis. We call on all parties to address the underlying economic drivers of the conflict and put Yemen on a path to lasting peace. The HRP 2024 of $2.7 billion must be fully funded to meet the urgent needs of approximately 11.2 million people that the humanitarian community aims to reach across the country.

We call upon the international community to respond with increased funding and support, to invest not only in the immediate needs but also in the long-term recovery of Yemen.

Only together can we forge a path to recovery and peace for Yemen. As we mark nine years since the conflict, we must not turn away. Every day, the needs grow, and the gap in funding widens—our unwavering commitment is more crucial than ever.

Signatories:

1. Action Contre la Faim (ACF)
2. Acted
3. Action For Humanity International
4. ADRA
5. CARE
6. Caritas Poland
7. Center for Civilians in Conflict- CIVIC
8. Concern worldwide
9. Danish Refugee Council – DRC
10. Direct Aid
11. Geneva Call
12. Handicap International
13. International Medical Corps – IMC
14. INTERSOS
15. Medicine du Monde
16. Mercy Corps
17. Muslim Hands
18. Norwegian Refugee Council – NRC
19. Oxfam
20. People in Need
21. Polish Humanitarian Aid – PAH
22. Première Urgence Internationale – PUI
23. Qatar charity
24. Read Foundation
25. Relief International – RI
26. Safer world
27. Save the children.
28. SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONA
29. Triangle Generation Humanitarian
30. WarChild Alliance
31. War Child Canada
32. Vision Hope International -VHI33. ZOA
33. Abyan Youth Foundation
34. Aden Promising Youth Foundation
35. Al Haya Foundation
36. Al-Ghaith for Human Development
37. Arman Development Foundation
38. Assistance for Response and Development
39. Badeel foundation for development
40. Basmat Development Foundation
41. Charitability Future society
42. Democracy School
43. Enqath Foundation For Development
44. Experts for Development
45. Future Pioneers Foundation for Training and Development
46. Ghadaq for Development
47. Hajjah Cultural and Development Foundation
48. Humanitarian Action Library -Yemen
49. Humanitarian Development Program
50. Humanity Bridge Organization for Response
51. Iradat Jareeh Foundation
52. MAAKUM FOUNDATION
53. Maisarah Development Foundation
54. Modern Social Association
55. Nahda Makers Organization
56. National prisoner Foundation
57. Neda’a Foundation for Development
58. Qaim Voluntary Team
59. Rowad Aid for Relief & Development
60. Sada Foundation for building and Development
61. Salam Yemen Foundation
62. Shibam Social Association For Development
63. Society for Humanitarian Solidarity
64. Tamdeen Youth Foundation
65. Welfare Association for student’s care
66. Youth Hayat Group

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