International report reveals continued food imports to Hodeidah port after Israeli attacks

An international report revealed that food imports continue to Houthi-controlled areas following recent Israeli attacks on vital infrastructure and facilities in the ports of Ras Issa and Hodeidah in Yemen.

According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), early analysis indicates generally low concern about the potential for major disruptions to food and fuel import volumes.

On September 29, Israel targeted vital infrastructure and facilities in Hodeidah for the second time in response to Houthi attacks on Israel. The attacks included oil tanks at Ras Issa port (north of the western city of Hodeidah), Hodeidah port (the target of the first attack in July), and the governorate’s two main power stations.

According to officials, the airstrikes killed five civilians and wounded 57 others.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network said damage to power stations has led to power outages, including in Hodeidah and parts of Sanaa.

She noted that as of the end of September, the power stations remained out of service. According to reports, the Ras Katneeb power station suffered the most damage, with boilers destroyed by shelling.

The network confirmed that three of the four oil tanks in Ras Issa were damaged, while Houthi officials reported that the fuel tanks were recently emptied in anticipation of Israeli strikes.

The Famine Early Warning Network also reported that no major damage had been reported at the port of Hodeidah.

Houthi officials reported that the effects of the strikes were insignificant. According to available information, food and fuel imports continued after the attacks.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network said it is continuing to identify available data and information sources in the wake of the strike and will provide an updated analysis of any expected impacts on acute food insecurity in its October Food Security Outlook report.

However, she said early analysis suggests generally lower concern about the potential for major disruptions to food and fuel import volumes.

The report also showed that due to weak purchasing power and the continued suspension of humanitarian food assistance provided by the World Food Programme in areas controlled by the Houthi authorities, millions of poor families are likely to continue to face food consumption gaps across Yemen, with particular concern for internally displaced persons, flood-affected families and poor families who rely on daily labor opportunities.

The Famine Early Warning System said that Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse outcomes are expected to persist across the country until January 2025, with some Houthi-controlled governorates likely to continue facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes amid the cessation of food assistance and the impacts of recent devastating floods.

“Above-average rainfall in July and August contributed to favourable growing conditions for crops and pasture resources (grazing land and water for livestock) in many areas,” the Famine Early Warning System report said.

However, the report added that severe flooding has negatively affected crop production in the affected areas. According to a rapid assessment conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization in August, about 99,000 hectares of agricultural land have been affected.

The vast majority of these affected agricultural lands were in Hodeidah (77,362 hectares) and Hajjah (20,717 hectares), representing approximately 12% and 9%, respectively, of the total agricultural lands.

Meanwhile, about 279,000 sheep and goats have been affected, according to the same FAO assessment.

Al Hudaydah, Hajjah and Al Jawf were the most affected, with an estimated 6% of sheep and goats affected in Al Hudaydah (106,361), followed by 4% in Al Jawf (50,664) and 4% in Hajjah (46,424).

The most affected families

The International Network said that according to the 2021 Food Security and Livelihoods Assessment, these areas are important suppliers of livestock and pasture and are an important livelihood system, especially in Al-Jawf, where the percentage of households that consider livestock as their primary source of income is estimated at about 20%. It pointed out that

Due to losses of key sources of food and income amid ongoing aid disruptions, some of the most affected households in severely affected areas are likely to have experienced losses of livestock assets and damage to livelihoods.