The Houthis are widening the circle of famine in Yemen and forcing families to beg

Living conditions in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen have deteriorated drastically, with famine spreading to unprecedented levels and forcing thousands of previously well-off families into begging for food. These tragic developments are a direct result of the group's economic policies and ongoing levies, which have turned the lives of millions of Yemenis into a daily hell, depriving them of even the most basic necessities.

Background of the crisis and the erosion of the national economy

Since the Houthi coup against the legitimate government and their takeover of the capital, Sana'a, in September 2014, Yemen has been plunged into a dark tunnel of conflict that has devastated the country's infrastructure and economy. The group did not stop at military control; it systematically dismantled state institutions and looted the central bank's foreign currency reserves, leading to the collapse of the national currency and the suspension of public sector salaries since 2016. This loss of income, which had sustained hundreds of thousands of families, dealt a devastating blow to Yemen's middle class, reducing it to abject poverty.

The policy of starvation and forced levies

Human rights and economic reports confirm that the widening famine is not accidental, but rather the result of systematic practices. The Houthis impose an endless series of levies and taxes under various religious and occasional pretexts, such as "khums" (one-fifth) and "war effort," burdening both merchants and ordinary citizens. These extortions have led to a dramatic increase in the prices of basic foodstuffs at a time when citizens are suffering from a lack of income. Furthermore, the group harasses aid organizations and obstructs the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, exacerbating the crisis.

The phenomenon of begging: a worsening social tragedy

The sight of women, children, and the elderly begging in the streets, in front of mosques, and at bakeries has become a painfully familiar one in Sana'a and neighboring governorates. Begging is no longer limited to historically marginalized groups; even respectable families have joined them, forced by dire circumstances to sell their belongings and resort to seeking aid just to secure one meal a day. Observers point out that this phenomenon reflects a complete collapse of the social safety net and a disintegration of the Yemeni social fabric.

International warnings and an uncertain future

Internationally, the United Nations and the World Food Programme continue to warn that Yemen is experiencing "the world's worst humanitarian crisis." UN statistics indicate that millions of children are suffering from acute malnutrition, and the specter of famine threatens the lives of millions more if urgent intervention does not occur and practices obstructing the flow of food and medicine are not halted. The Houthis' continued militarization of the economy and use of starvation as a weapon of war not only threatens local stability but also portends a protracted humanitarian catastrophe that will cast a shadow over the entire region for years to come.