Save the Children Starts Food Voucher Plan in Yemen

The charity Save the Children is starting an initiative to help impoverished families in Northern Yemen put food on the table. Vouchers are being distributed to 1400 families in the Sa'ada province, which can be used at food markets. The idea is to help these families, and to bring business to the local shops.

The Sa'ada province of Yemen has suffered through years of conflict between the government and rebel groups. Displacement and destruction of homes and livelihoods are the tragic result. High food prices are present throughout Yemen, constantly pressuring families on a daily basis.

The U.S. Food for Peace program (FFP) is providing the funding for the vouchers. Save the Children had been preparing this food safety net plan for some time. However, political unrest in Yemen had put the initiative on hold. Now it is has been given the green light to start up, although with some change to the original plan.

Aysha Twose of Save the Children says, "we received approval from FFP to restart the program. Given the uncertainty about the Sa'ada situation, including fears of price volatility and inflation, we did not receive an extension. Therefore the program will be a distribution of vouchers for five months rather than eight."

If the voucher program is successful, it may be applied to other parts of the country. The need is great and widespread. In Yemen 1 in 3 people suffer from hunger. The UN World Food Programme was planning a massive food ration program to help families in 14 governorates. However, low funding is limiting this effort to only 4 governorates.