The Yemeni government confirmed a dramatic rise in poverty levels in the country, with 80% of the population now living below the poverty line. Simultaneously, the country’s economy has contracted by 50% due to the conflict that has ravaged Yemen for the past nine years.
These grim statistics were presented by Wa’ed Bathib, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, at the 2023 High-Level Political Forum, which concluded on Wednesday in New York, according to Yemen’s Saba News Agency.
Bathib appealed to the international community for support, calling for peace in Yemen and the implementation of a comprehensive reconstruction program to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He outlined the unprecedented challenges faced by Yemen, chiefly represented by the Houthi group’s overthrow of the state and occupation of institutions.
Bathib pointed out that Yemen is grappling with escalating crises across various sectors. Food security is non-existent for 60% of the population, and 80% require humanitarian aid. Furthermore, about 4.3 million people have been displaced and lack access to basic services.
The country also faces mounting foreign debt and an economic contraction of over 50% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a significant drop in public revenues and an alarming poverty rate of around 80%.
The minister drew attention to the deteriorating financial situation of the government, recently exacerbated by the Houthi group’s targeted attacks on oil export ports using drones. These attacks have resulted in significant port damage and a halt in oil exports, which previously accounted for 65% of the country’s public revenue.
