Half of Yemen's youth suffer from unemployment
English - Thursday 05 November 2020 الساعة 02:36 pm
Aden, NewsYemen, Exclusive:
The protracted war raging in the 47 battlefronts currently active in Yemen has had devastating effects on the economy, social and humanitarian conditions, and 80% of the population lives in poverty.
Two economic experts, Raafat Al-Akhali and Leila Tawfiq Anam, confirmed, in a briefing to Brussels of the Middle East and North Africa, about the economic dimensions of the conflict in Yemen, that the unemployment rate has risen to 50% among youth, which complicates the living conditions.
They explained that 40 percent of Yemeni families lost their primary source of income in both the private and public sectors.
It was emphasized that fisheries and agricultural entrepreneurs, in particular, have been severely affected by the devastating effects of the war.
The two speakers pointed out that the monetary system had become disrupted, and the dire consequences of the split of the Central Bank of Yemen had caused the collapse of the banking sector.
They asserted that government agencies that were providing regular income to both public servants and social welfare recipients, had stopped or suspended their services.
The two experts highlighted the basic needs of companies, such as electricity, which have become serious challenges for entrepreneurs, and that they depend on private generators, which often do not work due to the lack of fuel in the country.
One speaker argued that, in general, the war should be viewed in terms of economics. It is a battle for "hegemony" over the country's economic resources and institutions.
As the conflict enters its sixth year, Yemen remains the world's worst humanitarian crisis with staggering levels of humanitarian needs.
Both speakers stressed the need to give priority to the agricultural sector, fishing and livestock, to help address food insecurity.
They recommended launching European initiatives for assistance, investment, capacity building, reconstruction and reconciliation efforts, so that the European Union could play a role in resolving conflicts in Yemen.
