Living challenges of Yemenis are increasing due to the Houthi coup, climate change, and various crises in the region, amid mounting warnings of worsening economic and humanitarian conditions and declining development indicators.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) predicted considerable losses to the Yemeni economy during the next three decades due to climate change, amounting to $93 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), 3.8 million more people suffering from malnutrition, and 121,000 deaths.
Furthermore, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) network warned that critical funding gaps exacerbate the crisis.
In its country network plan 2024, the IFRC expected that by December 2023, 41% of Yemenis will be categorized under Crisis and Emergency levels of food insecurity.
The report attributed the main drivers of this deterioration to a projected 20% shortfall in humanitarian assistance, an anticipated increase in food and fuel prices to about 30% above the average levels, and a continuation of the conflict.
It also noted that 21.6 million people will require humanitarian assistance or protection.
The report noted that despite some progress, Yemen continues to grapple with food insecurity, and according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partial analysis, the number of people facing severe acute food insecurity remains high.
It indicated that the severity of the situation is underscored by widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, health, water and sanitation, and protection needs.
About 17.3 million people need food and agricultural assistance, more than 20.3 million people lack access to vital health services, and another 15.3 million people require clean water and basic sanitation needs.
- Damaged infrastructure
Public services and infrastructure in Yemen have been severely affected by war and extreme weather conditions, noted the Federation, noting that most public workers have not received regular income in years.
Yemen's severe water crisis, intensified by conflict and climate change, leaves the majority without clean water, with the UN warning of a total depletion by 2025.
Most Yemen is considered at high risk of water scarcity, with the country's water crisis being among the worst in the world.
About 18 million people lack access to safe water and sanitation, and providing safe water will be one of the biggest problems people will encounter in the coming years.
Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Salem al-Saqtari, stressed the importance of boosting the interconnection between energy, water, and food resources within the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals framework.
In a panel discussion on sustainable solutions in human development in energy, food, and water, Saqtari explained that the challenges of a long-standing dry climate and rising pressures on water, energy, and food have greatly affected the country.
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a joint panel titled "Energy-Food-Water Nexus: Sustainable Solutions in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus."
The poverty rate in Yemen has exceeded 70% of the total population, and more than 17 million people suffer from food insecurity and other alarming indicators, which the government is facing by establishing projects such as water desalination plants and options for establishing dams.
Meanwhile, the General Coordinator of the Relief Committee, Jamal Balfaqih, called for rehabilitating vital facilities and supporting and encouraging agriculture and fishing, which provide job opportunities and help in achieving development sustainability.
Balfaqih referred to the $20 billion relief organizations received from donor countries in more than eight years, saying the efforts were still in the "life-saving phase."
The official hoped authorities would undertake supervision and control and submit periodic reports on relief organizations, especially the highest priority needs throughout the governorates.
- Development indicators decline
According to the "Impact of Climate Change on Human Development in Yemen," through which the UN monitors progress in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Yemen ranked 163rd out of 166 countries, with an index of 46.8, a significant decline from 2010, when it scored 49.5.
The level of implementation of the first goal of eradicating poverty has achieved a continuous decline, as poverty rates reached an income level of $2.15 per day.
It reported a decline in the fifteenth goal of conserving wildlife, the sixteenth goal to promote peaceful societies and provide access to justice for all, and the seventeenth goal of revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.
Economics professor at Sanaa University Jamil Abdulqader believes that all the challenges imposed by climate change require a solid state to deal with them.
Abdulqader indicated that achieving economic and social integration is dropping to the lowest levels, causing more suffering for the population.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that establishing a coherent economy, achieving balanced and sustainable development, and realizing political and security stability enables the country to confront various living and natural challenges.
The expert warned that with those elements, all efforts will only produce temporary solutions that may postpone or limit disasters but will only prevent them partially.
Abdulqader admitted he was surprised the authorities continue to rely on international aid despite the regional wars and crises, which reduce the amount of support directed to Yemen, asserting that they should work on finding alternatives.
