Country: Yemen Source: Government of Yemen Please refer to the attached files. Food security is one of the fundamental pillars of achieving stability and sustainable development in societies, as it is closely linked to individual health, economic growth, and social peace. In times of crises and conflict, food security becomes increasingly important as a crucial element in supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts, achieving self-sufficiency, and enhancing resilience to challenges. Hence, the urgent need to study the reality of food security and develop effective strategies and policies to enhance it. Food security is therefore a pivotal issue of paramount importance at both the global and national levels, not only because food is a human right and the essence of survival, but also because efforts to address the food crisis have faltered in many countries, particularly those affected by conflict.In Yemen, the proportion of the population suffering from moderate or severe food insecurity has increased significantly for the 2021-2023 average, reaching 72.5%*, compared to the 2017-2019 average of 46%. This rate in Yemen (72.5%) is approximately 2.5 times the global average of 29%. This reflects a threat to the right to adequate food in Yemen and poses a challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, which is to end hunger. Yemen ranks 126th out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index, which in turn reflects a challenge to ensuring the livelihoods of the population and meeting their basic needs. Food insecurity is also increasing among vulnerable groups (pregnant and lactating women, children, people with disabilities, and displaced persons), negatively impacting health and education.The main factors (drivers) of the continued high levels of food security in Yemen include economic instability, high food prices, the effects of the dry season, limited livelihood opportunities, and a lack of funding that causes gaps in humanitarian assistance. This indicates that food security trends in Yemen reflect economic challenges, expressed in the rising cost of the minimum food basket, deteriorating per capita GDP, and heavy dependence on food imports. There are also other social and humanitarian challenges, most notably challenges related to livelihood opportunities and employment, a lack of funding for humanitarian needs, and challenges related to climate change. These challenges have significantly negatively impacted the four pillars of food security: food stability, food utilization, food access, and food availability.At the conclusion of this issue of the Economic and Social Developments Update, in order to enhance food security, address its challenges, and mitigate its repercussions, several areas for development were addressed, including reforms to improve production and support farmers, and the use of technology while strengthening Yemeni regional and international cooperation. These areas were linked to a set of priorities aimed at enhancing food security (resilience) and transitioning to development. Emphasis was placed on the importance of working in particular to increase investment in child nutrition, as studies indicate that for every US dollar spent on preventing malnutrition in young children, there is an economic return of up to US$35. Through these efforts, Yemen can take tangible steps toward enhancing food security, contributing to social stability and enhancing opportunities for sustainable development and reconstruction in the country.