Yemen Joint Monitoring Report: Bimonthly Update on Food and Nutrition Security Crisis Risks (September 2024 – Report 5) – Yemen

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KEY MESSAGES

• Joint Monitoring Report (JMR) modeling using data through August 2024; It revealed 114 critical and 82 high risk alerts on exchange rates, conflict, fuel prices and displacement. JMR modeling also shows that 4.2 million people in August resided in areas at risk of evolving into Emergency (IPC Phase 4) or worse food insecurity conditions, with the vast majority of them in areas under Government of Yemen (GoY) control.
• Food insecurity in Yemen remained high in August 2024, according to the FAO High Frequency Monitoring Snapshot. While 53% of households in areas under GoY control reported inadequate food consumption, 45% of households in areas under Ansar Allah (AA) control reported this situation. While the use of acute food-based coping strategies remained unchanged compared to the previous two months in both the GoY and AA regions, there was an increase in households resorting to emergency livelihood coping strategies. Overall, the use of coping strategies continues to be more common in AA areas. According to WFP’s monthly food security monitoring, 65% of households in GoY regions and 64% of households in AA regions reported inadequate food consumption in August. According to the same data, inadequate food consumption reached an all-time high of 36%, with similar levels reported in both control areas.
• The latest IPC malnutrition analysis in GoY districts shows that by October 2024, an estimated 609,800 children will suffer from acute malnutrition, 118,570 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and more than 222,900 pregnant and lactating women are expected to be malnourished. All 117 districts analyzed in GoY regions are projected to face IPC Acute Malnutrition (IPC AMN) classification Stage 3 (severe) or worse between July and October 2024; It is predicted that the four districts in Al Hodeidah and Ta’iz will face an extremely critical phase. IPC is the highest stage of the AMN scale.
• Severe flooding caused by heavy rains in Yemen in August caused major damage in Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, Marib, Sa’dah and Ta’iz. Urgent needs include emergency shelter, food, non-food items, and WASH services to address water pollution and prevent disease. The health sector needs to focus on managing acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and cholera, while also addressing the psychological effects. The flood affected crops and livestock, aggravating food insecurity and necessitating extensive rehabilitation and flood mitigation efforts. There were no drought warnings in July and August.
• Yemen will experience higher rainfall in 2024, with significant increases in some regions. Despite forecasts predicting a gradual decline, flood risks remain high, particularly in saturated areas of the Central Highlands and Southern Uplands. Flooding can worsen public health, agricultural and infrastructure problems; Stagnant water increases the threat of waterborne diseases. Dust storms on the Eastern Plateau starting in September can cause respiratory problems and damage crops; Rising temperatures can also threaten food safety by accelerating pest activity.
• There is a serious outbreak of AWD and suspected cholera in Yemen, with approximately 131,900 cases reported between October 2023 and August 2024. Malnourished children have a high risk of contracting these diseases. A national cholera task force, co-chaired by Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), was activated to coordinate the response. UNICEF and WHO established Oral Rehydration Corners in 141 health centers in the affected areas. UNICEF also deployed 3,385 community health workers and reached 1.2 million people with prevention messages, treatment and improving community resilience.
• In August, the exchange rate indicator produced 113 critical risk alerts and 23 high risk alerts in GoY governorates. The monthly Yemeni rial average in GoY-controlled areas continued to depreciate, reaching 1,896 YER/1 USD and a record high monthly average, a 25% depreciation compared to the same period in 2023. In contrast, the exchange rate in AA-controlled governorates remained largely stable at 538 YER/1 USD.
• The IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix reported 2,184 people were displaced in August; This figure is the highest since November 2023. This increase resulted in JMR issuing 23 high risk alerts in Al Hodeidah, Ibb, Lahj, Marib, Sana’a City and Sana’a City. Ta’iz. Overall, between January 1 and August 31, more than 13,900 people were displaced in Yemen, mostly to or within Al Hodeidah, Marib, and Taiz provinces.