Shipping firms shun Hodeidah port over insecurity- U.N.

Shipping firms shun Hodeidah port over insecurity- U.N.

The United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday said operations at Yemen’s lifeline port of Hodeidah have nearly halved in two weeks, as high levels of insecurity in the flashpoint, Houthi-held city, deter shipping companies.

As 70 percent of imports come in through the vital port, a decrease in the arrival of wheat and other supplies would impact food stocks in the country where 14 million people are facing possible starvation, it said.

“Shipping companies appear to be reluctant to call to Hodeidah port because of the high levels of insecurity in the city,” WFP Spokesman, Herve Verhoosel, told a news briefing.