Middle East Yemen ceasefire extended, humanitarian crisis aggravated by soaring food prices

A total ceasefire has been extended for two months over the ongoing civil war in Yemen.

However, there is a serious humanitarian crisis due to soaring food prices locally, and the focus is on whether the resumption of exports of Ukrainian agricultural products will lead to an improvement in the situation.

In Yemen, the civil war between the government and rebels has continued for more than seven years, plunging into a serious humanitarian crisis.

After being extended once in June, the ceasefire expired again on the 2nd, and the United Nations, which acts as a mediator, announced that both sides had agreed to extend it for another two months.

However, in Yemen, where agricultural production has fallen due to the civil war, the price of food, which mostly depends on imports, including wheat, which Russia and Ukraine are the main importers, has risen due to the situation in Ukraine.

In addition, the WFP = World Food Program, which has been responsible for food support locally, has been forced to significantly reduce support due to rising costs due to soaring food and fuel prices.

Reagan, the representative of the WFP Yemen office, told NHK, "There are signs that more people are going hungry, and there is a danger that we will not be able to save many lives."

Ukraine just resumed exports of agricultural products this month, and the focus is on whether this trend will continue in the future and lead to an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Citizens "worried about living"

Yemen has relied on imports for most of its food, as agricultural production has declined due to the civil war.

Asma Matari, 27, who lives with her husband and two children in the capital Sana'a, has become unable to buy most of her vegetables and fruits due to rising prices. It means that the days of surviving are continuing.

In addition, the price of wheat, which is the raw material for the bread, has doubled compared to last year because Russia and Ukraine are the main importers.

She said, "Not only the price of wheat, but also the price of fuel is going up, and I'm worried about whether I can make a living or not."

The fruit and vegetable store that Asuma used to go to was forced to close in April this year due to the lack of customers as a result of being forced to raise prices as her purchase price soared.

Sadiq Shammi (30), the owner of the store, said, "It's not just my store that was forced to close, but the impact of soaring prices is spreading."

WFP 'may not save many lives'

WFP = World Food Program, which provides large-scale food assistance in Yemen, Reagan, representative of the Yemen office, said about the local situation, "While the price of food and fuel continued to rise due to the prolonged civil war, the situation in Ukraine triggered Wheat is becoming more difficult to secure in 2019, further exacerbating the situation.Even though Yemen agreed to a ceasefire in April this year, the world is facing inflation, and economic recovery is at the worst possible time, with even more time. It will take,” he points out.

In addition, regarding the impact of the situation in Ukraine on aid activities, he said, "The cost of food and fuel has risen, and we have been forced to significantly reduce aid. Signs of starving people are beginning to appear, and we need to save many lives. There is a danger that it will disappear," he said.