Consumers International Member shows challenges facing Yemeni consumers

As the war in Yemen enters its second month CI Member, the Yemen Association for Consumer Protection, has raised concerns about the effects of the war on Yemeni consumers.

The Association notes the catastrophic repercussions of the war on the population, which is creating suffering in their everyday lives and depriving them of access to basic necessities. 

In a country where many were already living below the poverty line, all consumers are now suffering from the deterioration of living conditions, economic stability and security.

Most notably:

• Many goods, including food, are no longer available in the shops. What remains is subject to frenzied daily price rises and consumers' are struggling to meet their basic food needs due to the limited supplies.
• There are constant power outages in the capital and other provinces, with no immediate solution provided. This has a direct impact on health services as well as the provision of other goods and services.
• A lack of fuel has aggravated the difficult economic and living conditions for consumers. With transport paralysed, there have been increases in the prices of both imported and local materials. The price of transport between cities and neighbouring villages has also surged as a result.
• Health services have stopped working and medical supplies are scarce, despite serious outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever. 
• The water supply network and supplies from civic wells have stopped because of the lack of diesel for pumping. Consumers are paying higher prices for small and medium-sized water carriers, which have reached five times the regular price in the capital and ten times in some cities. It is estimated that around 13 million people have no access to clean water on a regular basis. 
  
  

The Association has also expressed its deep concern over the increasing rates of malnutrition amongst children, which is recorded as one of the highest in the world. 

On behalf of Yemeni consumers, the Association renews its call to all international humanitarian and human rights organisations and stakeholders to assume moral and humanitarian responsibility towards the vast majority of citizens who are languishing in their daily living.