Crisis watch

Yemen

On World Food Day, CARE is warning of worsening hunger in Yemen, where up to 20 million people are food insecure. The combination of armed conflict, COVID-19, and economic collapse has had a direct and devastating impact on the availability and affordability of food, says Aaron Brent, CARE Yemen Country Director.

Hunger is most pronounced in areas with high levels of armed violence, while across the country food prices have been rising throughout 2020: in the capital Sana’a, for example, market assessments found that the price of fruit and vegetables had risen by 125 percent.

Taiz governorate has seen consistent fighting throughout the conflict, and almost 600,000 are classed as being in crisis or emergency food insecurity. Aaron Brent says:

Taiz provides a snapshot of the situation for countless families across Yemen. They have been dealing for years with a nightmarish combination of factors; airstrikes and attacks leading to high levels of displacement; a lack of healthcare and public services; diseases like cholera and dengue fever; and of course severe food insecurity and hunger due to the economic crisis. The result is that people are hungry and malnourished and their ability to cope is extremely low.

CARE warns that the humanitarian response is severely under-funded, and is callingn for an increase in funding – while remembering, says Aaron Brent, “that the only way to end hunger in Yemen for good is to end the conflict through a nationwide ceasefire, and an inclusive political solution.”

CARE reached 2.8 million people in the last year across 13 governorates and 95 districts, including supporting 1.5 million people with food, cash and vouchers to meet their basic and immediate food needs.

Lebanon

More than 100 towns and villages across the country have been put into lockdown for one week to stop COVID-19 spread. Bujar Hoxha, CARE Lebanon Country Director, said:

The new lock-down restrictions further add to the challenges of the deteriorating situation in Lebanon. Whilst the lock-down is necessary to slow down the steady increase of COVID-19 cases, which could further overwhelm the country's fragile healthcare sector, restrictions have hit the most vulnerable families hard. As the country grapples with the worst economic crisis in years, over half a million people have lost their jobs in the last six months and Beirutis are still recovering from the profound losses of the August explosions. Some people have had no choice but to reject the restrictions implemented, in order to work and find food for their families.

Despite the challenges, CARE continues to deliver assistance to communities. Hoxha adds: “We must ensure that current and future restrictions would still allow for CARE and other aid organisations to reach those who are most in need.”

So far, in our response to the Beirut explosions, CARE Lebanon and its partners have reached 11,322 people with food security and protection interventions.

Mozambique – conflict and humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique

The humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique has deteriorated due to further climatic shocks, insecurity and violence, access constraints and multiple disease outbreaks (most significantly cholera and COVID-19). As a result, large displacement, disruption of livelihoods and lack of access to basic services are reported. As of early July 2020, at least 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes within the province.

Challenges include restricted access to highly vulnerable populations due to impassable roads and fallen bridges, especially during the rainy season, and security dynamics in areas of ongoing or potential conflict.

At this time, CARE’s response is confined to serving vulnerable communities in the southern districts of Cabo Delgado (including Ibo islands) and northern Nampula. Reaching conflict-affected communities further north in the province will require funding for further investments in essential logistical capacity and safety equipment.

Yemen

CARE is warning of a disastrous humanitarian situation unfolding in Yemen unless there is an end to six years of conflict. Aaron Brent, CARE Yemen Country Director, says:

The impact of this war is truly staggering, especially regarding food and water – the absolute basics of life. A third of the population is said to be at risk of famine, and two-thirds are in need of water and sanitation. Malnutrition and disease are everywhere, as witnessed by our dedicated field teams. CARE is especially concerned about the impacts of the humanitarian crisis on women and girls – particularly the lack of reproductive health services, and increased vulnerability due to displacement and a lack of adequate shelter and hygiene facilities.

The deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen throughout 2020 is the result of economic collapse linked to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a lack of donor funding, extreme weather conditions and intensified fighting particularly in and around Marib. More international funding is essential to help save and rebuild lives and provide basic services, which are critically lacking.

Read more about the humanitarian situation in Yemen in our August 2020 factsheet:

CARE Yemen factsheet August 2020 (PDF)

Beirut

A huge fire at a warehouse in the Beirut port area caused panic and shock throughout the city until the Lebanese army brought the blaze under control. Gul Rehman, CARE Lebanon Deputy Country Director, said:  

Just over a month after the blast, many people are still suffering the trauma of the explosion that destroyed their houses and took away their loved ones. Many are now living in fear of what to expect in the capital. It’s a huge shock for all of us, here in Beirut and for other vulnerable Lebanese people who have already been suffering from the economic crisis, the pandemic, and then the blast.

As of 4 September, CARE Lebanon has reached 9,820 individuals with food parcels and hot meals, and 225 individuals with dignity kits and PPE kits to populations affected by the blast. CARE is planning to reach 30,000 people during the first two phases of the Beirut explosion response (Year 1), and to increase to 100,000 persons over a 3-year period. CARE Lebanon was already responding to COVID-19 before the blast and will continue with provision of essential materials (including disinfection kits, food parcels) and actions to raise awareness among the population.

• Read more in our story Beirut: Surviving in the aftermath of the explosion