UNDP: Climate change to cause death of 121,000 Yemenis in 36 years

A report prepared by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) says that over the next 36 years, climate change will cause the deaths of 121,000 Yemenis and the loss of $93 billion in gross domestic product for Yemen. 

The 56-page report, published a few days ago, predicts that an additional 3.8 million people in Yemen will suffer from malnutrition during the aforementioned period, as a result of the country’s worsening food crisis and decline in agricultural production.

The report indicates that changes in Yemen’s climate will lead to further land erosion, expanded desertification, increased flooding, and delayed agricultural seasons, which in turn will cause a decrease in the cultivation of major crops with high nutritional value.

The program calls for taking climate action to build resilience in Yemen and prevent this bleak scenario from occurring.

The UN report was released in conjunction with the start of the 28th annual UN climate meeting (COP28) in Dubai.

The President of the Southern Transitional Council and member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, warned of the effects of climate change on his country after participating in the conference alongside the PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi.

In a post on social media platform X, Al-Zubaidi said: “Our country is experiencing a difficult humanitarian situation resulting from a senseless war that destroyed the economy. These devastating repercussions were compounded by climate changes that affected our natural resources and our diverse vital environment".