Deadly Yemen famine could strike at any time, warns UN boss

Humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock fears a 'huge loss of life' as fighting continues

A famine inflicting "huge loss of life" could strike at any time in Yemen, as food prices soar and the battle rages over the country's main port, the UN humanitarian chief, Mark Lowcock, has warned.

Lowcock said that by the time an imminent famine is confirmed, it would be too late to stop it. Accelerating economic collapse has caused prices of staples to increase by 30% at a time many millions of Yemenis were already finding it hard to feed their families.