Middle East Politics.Net » Food Crisis http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Syria Addressing Food Crisis http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/08/syria-addressing-food-crisis/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/08/syria-addressing-food-crisis/#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:32:41 +0000 Joshua Bark http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2139 The food crisis is affecting Syria, with government officials convening to encourage international cooperation in a world problem.  Droughts and other irregular weather patterns have also hurt production of food within the country, causing wheat production to be hampered by over 50%, according to official state news.

Focus on terrorism and war in Middle East countries is surely distracting from other current issues, as well as future ones that could have far greater repercussions.  Global climate change will become more of an issue if scientist’s projections prove correct–some are already feeling the effects.  The lack of water in the Middle East will also become a greater problem if not addressed.

The Syrian government has reportedly offered millions of Syrian pounds to aid those hurt by crippled wheat production, but the longer-term issues because of these problems cannot be adequately addressed through this type of aid.

Joshua Bark

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/08/syria-addressing-food-crisis/feed/ 0 Yemen and US Talk on Yemen’s Development and Challenges http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/19/yemen-and-us-talk-on-yemens-development-and-challenges/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/19/yemen-and-us-talk-on-yemens-development-and-challenges/#comments Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:37:09 +0000 hootstei http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1457 Yemen’s Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Abdul Karim al-Arhabi held talks on Thursday October 16, 2008 with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Henrietta Fore. The conversation dealt with priorities in Yemen such as the importance of future support in the areas of the economy, education, agriculture, water and energy .

Al-Ahrabi discussed the challenges Yemen is currently facing, including over-population, water scarcity, and rising poverty rates amidst the international food crisis. The Deputy Premier discussed the importance of strengthening higher education, technical education and health services as top priorities in order to meet and face the challenges ahead. Henrietta Fore reviewed the status and success of the programs USAID has implemented thus far throughout Yemen, in areas such as Saada, Jawf, Marib, and Amran. Fore pledged US commitment to continue such developmental work in Yemen.

Jenna Hootstein

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/19/yemen-and-us-talk-on-yemens-development-and-challenges/feed/ 0 Yemen Participates in Global Development Meeting http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/19/yemen-participates-in-global-development-meeting/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/19/yemen-participates-in-global-development-meeting/#comments Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:28:32 +0000 hootstei http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1459 Yemen has participated in the Development Committee meeting held on the sidelines of the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The meeting took place in Washington, DC October 14, 2008. Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Abdul Karim al-Arhabi headed Yemen’s delegation. Robert Zilik, the President of the World Bank also attended the conference.

The global economic downturn was a main theme of the meeting, and Zilik referred to situation as a “human-made disaster”, thereby requiring unifying efforts from all countries to resolve and alleviate the financial problems that have ensued.

The Development Committee also called on the WB and the IMF to help developing countries, especially with the food crisis, economic crisis, and high fuel prices.

It is interesting to see the role Yemen is playing on an international level, especially in today’s globalized world besieged by financial crisis and hardship.

Jenna Hootstein

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/10/19/yemen-participates-in-global-development-meeting/feed/ 0 Yemen’s Food Crisis: Global Alleviation Efforts http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/09/26/yemens-food-crisis-global-alleviation-efforts/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/09/26/yemens-food-crisis-global-alleviation-efforts/#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:29:45 +0000 hootstei http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=966 On September 25, 2008, The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced the launch of an emergency response program to facilitate the ongoing food crisis in Yemen. The program is the result of a recent investigation that revealed a dramatic decrease in food security among Yemen’s population due to the global rise in food prices. Yemen is one of the countries that has been hit the hardest by the international crisis. It was revealed that in a single year, the price of wheat (which is the main staple in the Yemeni diet) increased from $350 to $650 per 1000 kg.

As a result, many countries are stepping in to facilitate. More specifically, the Italian government contributed 5 million Euros to launch operations that will help feed over one million people in Yemen. The Italian Ambassador to Yemen describes the contribution as “yet another illustration of the excellent level of cooperation with WFP.” Italy’s contribution is the second largest direct donation to WFP’s fund to help end Yemen’s food crisis. (In August 2008, Germany donated 10 million Euros to WFP to address food security and nutrition in Yemen). Mohamed el-Kouhene, WFP’s Representative in Yemen stated the importance of this global initiative: “This new operation, along with ongoing development and humanitarian relief activities in the country, will raise WFP’s portfolio to above $120 million, providing food assistance to over 1.5 million people, an unprecedented level of support to vulnerable families in Yemen.”

This initiative is an interesting example of looking at a global issue (the international food crisis) and zeroing in on how one country, such as Yemen, has been particularly affected. Moreover, it’s important to look beyond Yemen’s borders to understand how the international community facilitates help. What are the motivations behind the country’s actions? Why was have Germany and Italy made the largest contributions? What other factors are operating in this situation?

Jenna Hootstein

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