New Delhi: Many Government of Yemen (GoY) controlled-areas in the West Coast are experiencing “extremely critical” levels of acute malnutrition. The number of children under 5 suffering from acute malnutrition, or wasting, rose by 34 percent compared to the previous year, a UNICEF press release stated. This figure reaches more than 600,000 children, including 120,000 who are severely malnourished.
The spike in acute malnutrition is fueled by a combination of factors, including disease outbreaks, high food insecurity, limited access to safe drinking water, and economic decline. The ongoing conflict, economic instability, and recurrent disease outbreaks are compounding the malnutrition crisis in Yemen. The situation could further be aggravated by the seasonal lean season, which occurs from July to October, when there is minimal agricultural activity.
Hodeidah and Taizz, the areas with the highest prevalence of acute malnutrition, have already been facing the highest rate of stunting, or chronic malnutrition, the release added.