STORY: Livestock's soaring prices overshadow Eid al-Adha in war-torn Yemen
DATELINE: June 29, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:55
LOCATION: Sanaa
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people buying livestock for Eid al-Adha in a market in Sanaa, Yemen's capital
2. various of the livestock market
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABDULLAH AL-JUMARI, Sanaa resident
4. various of the market
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AHMED AL-AWAMI, Animal seller in Sanaa

STORYLINE:

Despite the longest and most widespread truce in war-torn Yemen, people still find it difficult to prepare for holidays.

In the lead-up to Eid al-Adha, some locals in Sanaa visited livestock markets to buy sacrificial animals, despite the high prices.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABDULLAH AL-JUMARI, Sanaa resident
"Before the war, everything was better and more affordable. Salaries were paid on time, and prices were low. But now, nothing is going well because of the ongoing crisis and the skyrocketing prices."

During the annual festival of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world celebrate by sacrificing a goat or sheep and then sharing the meat with family and friends.

Meanwhile, livestock traders complained about the lack of customers and the depreciating value of Yemen's currency against foreign currencies.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AHMED AL-AWAMI, Animal seller in Sanaa
"Fewer customers are coming to buy sheep and cows this year. People are unable to buy sacrificial animals as they used to, especially after they lost their jobs."

The impoverished Arab country has been at war since 2014, when Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, seized much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened militarily against the Houthis in March 2015 in response to a request from Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi for help in protecting the country.

Three-quarters of Yemen's population, or more than 22 million people, urgently need humanitarian assistance, including more than 20 million who are struggling to find their next meal.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sanaa.
(XHTV)