Food insecurity remained alarmingly high in August 2025 despite a temporary respite of 8 percentage points, month on month, with 62% of households reporting inadequate food consumption, nearly the same level as August 2024. Severe food deprivation continued to affect 34% households nationwide, with 12% in IRG areas and 18% in SBA area having at least one member who went an entire day and night without eating due to a lack of food. Severe coping strategies were widely adopted, particularly in SBA areas.

The monthly change in IRG areas was primarily driven by currency appreciation, falling food and fuel prices, and regularity of food assistance, while key drivers in SBA areas included the release of partial salaries for public sector employees and improved casual labour opportunities linked to increased qat production and demand following July and August rainfall. The rainfall also supported regeneration of pastures for livestock. Food aid under TEFA cycle-2 also provided some relief in the targeted districts.

The Yemeni riyal in IRG areas sharply appreciated in August 2025, strengthening by 78% month-on-month and 18% year-on-year (indirect quotation method), driven by policy measures. As a result, the Minimum Food Basket (MFB) cost fell by 34% M-o-M and by 12% Y-o-Y, relatively improving household purchasing power. Pump prices of petrol and diesel also dropped between 24% and 28% M-o-M, and by 3% Y-o-Y, contributing to lower transportation costs.

Damage to Red Sea port infrastructure and reduced operational capacity primarily triggered a notable 20% decline in food imports and 27% in fuel imports during January-August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In IRG-controlled ports, food imports have increased during the same period by 45% YoY, yet fuel supplies dropped by 17%.

As of September 2025, WFP had completed four cycles food assistance in IRG areas (fifth cycle is ongoing) and only two cycles of Targeted Emergency Food Assistance (TEFA) in SBA areas with a reduced food basket.