Food prices increased by 22% in the legitimate areas and 16% in Sana'a
English - Tuesday 01 September 2020 الساعة 02:39 pm
Aden, NewsYemen, Exclusive:
Prices of basic food commodities - such as beans, sugar, vegetable oils and wheat - have risen by more than 16 percent across Yemen and 22 percent in areas controlled by the Yemeni government, according to the World Food Program.
The price increases were mainly attributed to the continued rate of decline of the riyal, which lost 20 percent of its value in the legitimate government areas, during the period from January to June of this year.
In addition to the shrinking of foreign currency reserves, the cuts related to the Coronavirus in remittance flows, the decline in oil revenues, and other economic shocks.
Besides rising prices, the coronavirus outbreak in Yemen has reduced livelihood opportunities and hindered market access.
According to the USAID report, 36 percent of households in Yemen were unable to obtain adequate food in June, representing an increase of 6 percent compared to May.
The United States Agency for International Development had reduced emergency food aid in the north last April, as a result of the continued restrictions imposed by the Houthi militia on relief operations.
