Chronically high levels of food insecurity persist

• Although there is an improvement in acute food security compared to the crisis year of 2011 high levels of chronic food insecurity persist.
• Desert locusts have followed winds toward the Red Sea coast. Locusts may pose a threat to crops in these areas.

According to WFP’s Updated Food Security Monitoring Survey of Yemen conducted between June and August 2013, acute food security has improved compared to the crisis year of 2011. However, high levels of chronic food insecurity persist. Acute food insecurity remains a problem in Southern Yemen due to residual conflict and challenges to humanitarian aid delivery.

Terms of trade between casual wage labor and wheat flour vary across different markets. However, labor-to-wheat flour terms of trade are generally on par with last years’ levels and appear relatively stable between 12-20 kg wheat flour/day of unskilled labor.

The desert locust situation continues to be of concern in Yemen. According to FAO’s Desert Locust situation update 19 November 2013, breeding continues along the northern coast of the Red Sea. Hatching and band formation are expected beginning the end of November. Smaller infestations are also found on the southern coast near Aden. Control operations are limited by insecurity, beekeeping activities, and resource constraints. If sufficient control measures are not taken, the locust could damage second-season crops that are ready for harvest, mainly sorghum in Western Coastal Plain Sorghum, Millet and livestock Livelihood Zone.