Food prices concern Yemenis more than war
English - Saturday 03 July 2021 الساعة 11:27 am
Aden, NewsYemen, special:
News of the war and the fronts, which is now in its seventh year, is no longer a priority for Yemenis, as much as they worry and talk about the prices of food commodities that continue to rise every day, driven by the economic war, the insurance and currency triad and double customs duties.
The prices of major commodities more than doubled, wheat flour prices increased by 146%, vegetable oil by 130%, and rice by 174% from February 2016 to May 2021, while fuel prices increased by 1300%.
Three out of five Yemenis say they cannot afford basic items and are resorting to child labor and child marriage to cut costs, according to the results of a survey by the International Rescue Committee.
Yemen imports 90% of what it consumes, and the loss of the value of the local currency has an inflationary effect on the necessities of life, which have become more expensive for everyone.
Economists agree that currency depreciation has caused more damage to Yemenis than the raging conflict in the country, as the direct impact of the war's violence affects some people, but food price hikes affect everyone.
Reports confirm that Yemeni families have resorted to negative coping mechanisms, and families are forced to reduce the number of daily meals, the amount of food consumed, or only eat foods that lack nutrients such as bread and tea.
The Capacity Assessment Project Organization - based on its reports by aid organizations and decision-makers in the West - said that the economic war between the conflicting parties in Yemen has caused food prices to rise far beyond what most Yemenis can afford.
Besides the currency devaluation, shipping companies have added additional insurance on shipping imports to Yemen against war risks 16 times more than if they were in any other locations.
The United Nations Development Program said that up to 50% of the cost of every 1 kilogram of wheat enters Yemen due to transportation, shipping and insurance costs.
The United Nations currently expects that half of the population in Yemen will face hunger this year, due to the high cost of imported products that drive up commodity prices, making readily available food unaffordable for the average Yemeni.
An economic study confirmed that the increase in tax burdens and double customs duties made it difficult for the poor and those with limited incomes to access basic goods and services, and exacerbated food insecurity and the spread of poverty in the country.
Over the past years, the Houthi militia has established land ports between its areas of control and the liberated areas, and imposed new customs on goods and food commodities that are stuck in the areas of the legitimate government, and the merchants have transferred the additional cost of customs to the consumer.
