Conflict-affected Yemen is one of the most security-challenged and unstable nations in the Middle East. The instability has resulted in a poor environment for business, resulting in high levels of unemployment. Assessments conducted by humanitarian agencies reveal high levels of emergency needs. WFP’s Comprehensive Food Security Survey (CFSS) report released in 2012 indicated that five million Yemenis are severely food insecure. The conflict in the north and south of the country has also resulted in an estimated 545,310 people displaced in the conflict hotspots of Saada, Hajjah, Abyan, Lahj, and Aden. The country suffers from high levels of chronic and acute malnutrition; UNICEF/Ministry of Health surveys conducted in 2012 show prevalence of acute malnutrition of up to 31.7%. Yemen is ranked second highest globally for prevalence of chronic malnutrition, estimated at 58% nationally.
Action Against Hunger is implementing an integrated emergency project in the governorates of Hajjah and Hodeida, which are strongly affected by the conflict. This project consists of three components--community management of acute malnutrition, activities to stimulate food security and livelihoods, and programs in water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Our nutrition work seeks to improve community-based nutritional surveillance systems by training local volunteers. Mobile teams refer children with severe acute malnutrition to medical centers where we treat children under age five. We also train health personnel in care practices. The food security component aims to increase household incomes, and improve agricultural assets and the supply of basic foodstuffs. Cash transfer and food vouchers are utilized in this program. Our water, sanitation, and hygiene work focuses on rehabilitating water points and latrines in schools and health centers. We also train community members, children, and teachers on good hygiene practices, and we distribute hygiene kits to targeted populations. In addition to these efforts, we have also conducted an anthropological evaluation to guide our understanding of the social context and culture of the areas where we are conducting our work, which is heping us refine how we do community outreach and run programs in Yemen.