Building resilient rural livelihoods is key to helping Yemen

Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Dairy cattle seek shade. Credit: FAO/Chedly KayouliBy José Graziano da SilvaROME, Apr 24 2017 (IPS)People in Yemen are currently suffering from the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.More than 17 million people around Yemen’s rugged landscape are acutely food insecure, and the figure is likely to increase as the ongoing conflict continues to erode the ability to grow, import, distribute and pay for food. More than 7 million people are on the verge of famine, while the rest are marginally meeting the minimum day-to-day nutritional needs thanks to external humanitarian and livelihoods support. Large-scale famine is a real risk that will cast an awful shadow for generations to come. Only a political solution can end the suffering in Yemen, as there can be no food security without peace. And the longer the delay to draft an adequately funded recovery plan, the more expensive the burden will be in terms of resources and human livelihood.José Graziano da Silva. Credit: FAOKeep in mind that Yemen has a very young population, yet some 2.2 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. As inadequate nutrition in a child’s early years can permanently damage an individual’s lifetime potential, it is imperative to stop a generational doomsday loop.To prevent the food security situation from worsening, immediate livelihoods support – mainly agriculture and fishing – must be an integral part of the humanitarian response. Thi...

Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - April 24, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Jose Graziano da Silva Tags: Aid Armed Conflicts Crime & Justice Democracy Development & Aid Featured Food & Agriculture Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies Inequity Middle East & North Africa Peace Poverty & SDGs Food and Agriculture Source Type: news