Staple food prices remain generally stable, but increased conflict reported in Hajjah and Ad-Dali

Conflict and displacement

Airstrikes and armed clashes continue in Yemen, particularly in western areas such as Hajjah, Sa’ada, and Tai’zz. In addition to ongoing conflict in northern areas, the Civilian Impact Monitoring Project (CIMP) reports that in the last week of March and early April, fighting has escalated in northern Ad-Dali, particularly Murays district.

Fighting, shelling, and airstrikes continue to displace populations in conflict areas. For example, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that heavy fighting in Hajjah governorate displaced more than 18,000 people to Abs district and nearby areas of Al Hudaydah governorate in early April. In addition, 2,000 households were also reportedly displaced in Ad Dali between March 23 and April 10, 2019.

Macroeconomic conditions

The Yemeni Rial has appreciated slightly in recent weeks, reaching approximately 516 YER/USD in early April 2019, compared to 579 YER/USD in February 2019. The recent increase in value of the Yemeni Rial has reportedly been driven by Saudi Arabia’s pre-approval for the withdrawal of approximately $70.2 million (USD) of the $2 billion Saudi Arabia deposited in the Central Bank in Aden. According to the agreement with Saudi Arabia, the recent withdrawal in funds will be used to pay some salaries, including those of soldiers of Yemeni soldiers “in areas under the control of the recognized government.”

Staple food imports

Wheat imports have increased significantly in February and March 2019 compared to previous months, according to data from the Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation and Yemen Gulf of Aden Ports Corporation. Total wheat imports between January and March 2019 were reportedly more than 33% higher than during the last three months of 2018. Reports of increased wheat imports are consistent with ship tracking data, which also show increases in the number of bulk carrier ship arrivals into Yemen during February and March 2019.

Fuel imports

According to OCHA, fuel imports between January-March 2019 increased by 8 percent compared to October-December 2018, but are only sufficient to cover approximately 30 percent of monthly needs. In addition, DFID reports that average monthly fuel imports between January and March 2019 increased slightly compared to the last three months of 2018, from approximately 356,492 MT to 363,915. Recently, the Central Bank in Aden recently announced a new policy that would allow fuel importers to make payments in Yemeni Riyals rather than foreign currencies (which will be supplied by the banks), which in some cases could facilitate future fuel imports.

Commodity availability on markets

According to WFP’s Market Watch for February 2019, the availability of all basic commodities improved on markets in Yemen during February 2019. Wheat flour was reported as “available” (the highest of five rankings) in 21 governorates, with the exception of Soqatra where it was “sparsely available” (the third highest ranking). In Soqotra, market demand has reportedly been low due to ongoing provision of humanitarian assistance. In Al Hudaydah, wheat flour was rated as “available” during February and March, an improvement from 3 months prior when it was rated as “widely available.”

Diesel, petrol, and cooking gas were “sparsely available” and “widely available” in February 2019 across most markets in Yemen, in line with findings over the previous three months. Diesel and petrol were “sparsely available” in 11 of 22 governorates, “widely available” in 4 governorates, and “available” in 7 governorates (Al Mahrah, Abyan, Aden, Lahj, Marib, Al Jawf, and Shabwa). Cooking gas was “sparsely available” in 13 of 22 governorates and “available” in 9 governorates.

Wheat flour prices

Wheat flour prices have remained generally stable in recent months at well above-average levels across most markets in Yemen. According to WFP price monitoring in March 2019, on the major import and consumption markets of Sana’a City, Aden, and Al Hudaydah, wheat flour prices remained approximately 260–290 YER/kg, which is 85 to 130% higher than pre-conflict levels, and approximately 40% higher than in March 2018.

Fuel prices

Fuel prices on most markets were volatile between September 2018 and March 2019, but they remain more than double pre-conflict levels. According to WFP price monitoring in March 2019, the national average prices of diesel and gasoline were 358 and 315 YER/L, which was 135 and 99% higher, respectively, than pre-conflict levels. Diesel prices in March 2019 were approximately 12% higher than in March 2018, while gasoline prices were similar to those observed in March 2018.

Food Security and Nutrition Indicator Data

Levels of acute malnutrition remain concerning, including in Ta’izz governorate. In November 2018, Save The Children conducted a SMART survey in Ta’izz governorate. As part of this survey, Save The Children collected anthropometric data on children aged 6-59 months. According to the survey, the prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) based on weight-for-height Z-scores (and/or the presence of edema) was 22.6% (18.3 – 27.7, 95% CI) in lowland areas, 15.0% (11.8 – 18.9%, 95% CI) in highland areas, and 15.4% (11.3 – 20.8%, 95% CI) in Tai’zz City.

As part of this survey, Save The Children also collected data on household food consumption and livelihoods coping. According to the food consumption indicators, food insecurity was most severe in highland areas, where approximately 29 percent of households had a Food Consumption Score indicative of Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse, compared to 13 percent and 10 percent in lowland areas and Ta’izz City, respectively. According to the reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI), 13 to 15 percent of households in each of the lowlands, highlands, and Ta’izz City areas are facing outcomes in line with Crisis (IPC Phase 3), with small percentages (3% or less) facing more severe outcomes. A Livelihoods Coping module indicated that a higher percentage (15%) of households in lowland areas were engaging in crisis or worse levels of livelihoods coping, compared to highland (8 %) and Ta’izz City (9%) areas. However, it is possible nutrition and food security outcome indicators would suggest worse outcomes if assistance had not been provided prior to and during data collection.

Cholera and diphtheria outbreaks

Disease outbreaks in Yemen remain a significant concern, with sharp increases in cholera caseloads reported in 2019. Approximately 137,736 cases of cholera were reported in Yemen between January 1 and March 24, 2019, according to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, compared to approximately 61,000 cases in the same period last year. Nearly 25% of the reported cases are children under the age of five years old. OCHA suggests that recent increases in suspected cholera cases are possibly linked to early rains, increased awareness among the population to seek testing and treatment, and enhanced disease surveillance. Moreover, fuel shortages are severely limiting water availability, and as cholera is linked to poor water sanitation and hygiene, further increases in the cholera caseload are possible. Meanwhile, significant measles, dengue fever, and diphtheria outbreaks continue, with nearly 6,000 measles cases reported between January 1 and March 24, 2019.