UN program announces the start of distributing emergency food aid to more than 115,000 people in Hodeidah and Taiz

The World Food Programme announced on Thursday the start of the process of distributing emergency food aid to more than 115,000 people in areas witnessing a rising rate of malnutrition in the governorates of Hodeidah and Taiz (western Yemen).

The program's office in Yemen said in a post on its account on the "X" platform: It has begun distributing emergency food to more than 115,000 people, in areas under the control of the internationally recognized government in the governorates of Hodeidah and Taiz.

He added that the distribution process targets the directorates that are witnessing an increase in acute malnutrition rates to alarming levels, with priority given to children, pregnant and lactating women.

📸 @WFP in Yemen is distributing emergency food to over 115,000 people, prioritizing children, pregnant & breastfeeding women.
This vital assistance is #HappeningNow in Al Hodeidah & Taiz, under IRG control, where conflict & displacement are driving malnutrition to alarming levels. pic.twitter.com/RXr7YY0Dbu

— WFP Yemen (@WFPYemen) August 22, 2024

On Sunday, four UN agencies said in a report that rates of acute malnutrition have increased in areas under the control of the recognized government, especially in the districts of Hays, Al-Khokha, Al-Mokha and Mawza in the governorates of Al-Hodeidah and Taiz, after reporting "very critical" cases in the west of the country.

The report indicated that the number of children under the age of five suffering from severe malnutrition or wasting increased during the current year 2024 by 34% compared to the previous year in areas under government control, which affects more than 600,000 children, including 120,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition, in addition to the presence of about 223,000 pregnant and lactating women suffering from severe malnutrition this year.