Warnings of Rising Food Insecurity in Yemen Amid Ongoing Conflict and Trade Disruptions

Warnings of Rising Food Insecurity in Yemen Amid Ongoing Conflict and Trade Disruptions
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The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has warned that food insecurity in Yemen is expected to worsen in the coming months and continue into early 2027 due to military escalation, disruptions to ports and trade routes, and rising shipping and insurance costs.

In its latest food security outlook, the network said attacks on the port of Mocha and disruptions in maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait have damaged infrastructure and affected supply chains, increasing pressure on food availability and prices.

FEWS NET reported that damage to the port of Mocha was estimated at around $79 million, with operations suspended and thousands of workers affected. It also noted a decline in maritime traffic through Bab al-Mandab, including a significant drop in oil tanker movement, contributing to higher transportation costs and greater risks of supply shortages.

The network warned that Yemen’s reliance on food imports, declining agricultural production, and weak household purchasing power are likely to deepen the crisis. It said several areas, including Hodeidah, Hajjah, and Taiz, are expected to remain in the “Emergency” phase of food insecurity, while other regions remain in “Crisis.”

The report identified poor households and internally displaced people as the most vulnerable groups, warning that continued conflict, rising prices, and supply disruptions could further worsen Yemen’s humanitarian situation.