17 million people face famine risk due to war in Yemen
West Asia faces its worstever food security crisis due to the civil war that escalated in the country two years ago. As per the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis released by the UN, the crisis threatens over 17 million people or almost 60 per cent of the country's population. Twenty of the country's 22 governorates (similar to provinces) DUH LQ kHPHUJHQF\y SKDVHV ,Q UHFHQW months, fighting along the Red Sea coast of the country has caused extensive damage to its largest port, Al Hudaydah. This has disrupted imports, which account for 90 per cent of the country's staple foods. Insecurity along the coast will likely affect the start of the planting season for sorghum in April, the most important domestically produced cereal. It will also hamper trade, force people to leave homes, limit the availability of food and disrupt livelihoods.