The Government Turns Ramadan into a Disaster for This Reason!
NYN | Reports and Analyses
The governorates under the control of the internationally recognized government are experiencing an unprecedented living disaster.
On Sunday, the temporary capital, Aden, witnessed a staggering and unprecedented rise in the prices of foodstuffs and essential goods as Ramadan approaches, reflecting a catastrophic decline in the economic situation in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government supported by the Saudi-Emirati coalition.
According to eyewitnesses and local reports, the price of a 2500-gram “Danone” milk carton exceeded 65,000 Yemeni riyals, which is equivalent to the average salary of a teacher or a government employee, while the prices of rice, sugar, and oils jumped by up to 300% compared to last year, amid a complete absence of market regulation by the authorities.
Ahmed Nasser, a teacher from Aden, said: “A carton of milk is now being sold at the price of my monthly salary… How are we supposed to prepare for Ramadan? The government talks about imaginary reforms while we suffocate under the weight of hunger.”
One activist commented on the rise in prices in Aden, saying: “We bought half of the usual monthly needs… This year, Ramadan will be a month of tears, not joy.”
Observers believe that the rapid collapse of the Yemeni rial in the areas controlled by the Aden government (where the dollar rate has surpassed 2,296 riyals) is the main cause of the disaster, due to the failure of the policies of the central bank, which is divided in Aden. The bank has been accused of printing counterfeit money without backing and ignoring the issue of delayed salaries.
Despite escalating UN warnings of a potential famine in southern Yemen, the promised financial support from the coalition countries has remained on paper, indicating regional and international complicity as the situation continues to deteriorate. Meanwhile, the Aden government continues to blame the “Houthis in the north” to justify its failure.
As Ramadan approaches, relief reports indicate that thousands of families in Aden and other areas under the internationally recognized government have started relying on just one meal a day, while others have resorted to selling their personal belongings to secure food for their children, especially as the middle class plunges into extreme poverty.
