Prices rise in Sana'a and worsening water crisis in Taiz

Price index of basic materials rose 14% in the capital Sana'a in last April while Aden and Taiz witnessed an increase of 3% compared to March 2016.
As the price of flour in Aden is falling down, it rose by 8% in Taiz that came at the forefront in terms of the rise of petrol, diesel and home-gas prices, which rose by 33% compared to the previous month, while prices in Mareb province fell by 30%.
The economic indicators report of Yemen issued by the Studies and Economic Media Center (SEMC) revealed the continuous manipulation of USD exchange prices against the Yemeni riyal, when the dollar rose by 6% in April 2016 and reached 285 riyals for one USD in the black market.
The report monitoring economic and humanitarian situation in six Yemeni provinces revealed that Taiz is facing a major water crisis, followed by the capital Sana'a, where the water is available one day a month, and Aden seems more fortunate as the water is available 12 hours a day.
The report said that most Yemeni families rely on solar power for electricity and spend nearly a thousand dollars to get an energy capacity of 100 Ampere as the average cost of obtaining electrical power by using generators for 8 hours a day is 150 $ per month.
The report also revealed the tragic conditions lived by more than 2.2 million people in Hodeidah province because of power cuts for more than a year and soaring heat. The provinces of Taiz, capital Sana'a, Hodeidah and several provinces have experienced full power cuts since the war began in Yemen in March last year.
The report concluded that there were shortcomings in the performance of international relief organizations, noting that it is despite the rise of the number of citizens who are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, who reached more than twenty-one million people, and despite the number of international organizations and agencies operating in Yemen reached to 36 organizations and agencies, but the size of the aids provided during the month of April do not cover 10% of the needs required.
SEMC is a NGO that works towards a successful and transparent economy by spreading awareness of economic issues, boosting transparency and citizens’ involvement in decision-making. It seeks to achieve the economic empowerment of men and women, reduction of conflicts, and creation of professional media.