Over 17 million Yemeni residents suffer from hunger, with approximately 1 million children affected, according to the United Nations.
In the war-torn nation of Yemen, more than 17 million people are currently grappling with food insecurity, with over 17,000 individuals falling into the three worst categories[1]. This dire situation has been accelerating since late 2023, and without immediate intervention, the number of people going hungry could climb to over 18 million by September[2].
Among the most vulnerable are children under the age of 5, with over a million suffering from acute malnutrition[3]. By early next year, this number could surge to 1.2 million[4]. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian organisations are working tirelessly to provide food assistance, but funding cuts have reduced the effectiveness of these efforts[1][3]. The 2025 Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) requires urgent funding of $1.42 billion to assist 8.8 million people until the end of December, with a significant portion dedicated to food security[2].
Besides food assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is advocating for urgent support to revitalize local food production and safeguard livelihoods, aiming to move from crisis to resilience building[1].
Political initiatives are also crucial in addressing the crisis. On May 29, 2025, the Houthis and the internationally recognised Yemeni government agreed to reopen a vital road linking Sana’a with Aden, which is expected to improve access to healthcare and reduce travel times for communities[3]. However, the ongoing conflict and economic challenges, including the Houthi blockade on oil exports and fragmentation of the economy, continue to exacerbate the crisis[3].
The international community is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of detained personnel from UN, NGOs, and diplomatic missions, which could help improve humanitarian access and foster a more conducive environment for peace negotiations[2]. The UN and other international bodies are urging for increased funding and support to prevent a total collapse of the humanitarian situation in Yemen[2][3].
Despite these efforts, the future remains uncertain. Projections indicate that food insecurity is expected to worsen, with an estimated 18.1 million people likely to face crisis-level food insecurity or worse by February 2026[2]. The war in Yemen has created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, and continued support and political resolution are vital to alleviate the suffering of its people.
References: [1] https://www.wfp.org/yemen [2] https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2023/02/202302161.html [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemen-houthi-rebels-agree-reopen-key-road-between-aden-sanaa-2023-05-29/
- The Middle East's Eastern nation, Saudi Arabia, has been center stage in the world news as the ongoing war and conflicts in Yemen aggravate the humanitarian crisis.
- Amidst this turmoil, the Saudi government, along with international policymakers and legislators, are striving to implement policies aimed at alleviating food insecurity and improving the overall health-and-wellness of Yemen's population, including mental-health services.
- In general-news, there have been calls for addressing the issue of detained personnel from United Nations, NGOs, and diplomatic missions, with the belief that their release could foster a better environment for peace negotiations.
- Over the years, the art and science communities have lent their voices to raise awareness about the plight of the people in Yemen, aiming to elicit empathy and engagement from the global populace.
- Car-accidents and fires have added to the woes of the people in Yemen, further exacerbating an already fragile situation, leading to debates around improvements in safety regulations and emergency response services.
- Amid the gloom, sparks of hope remain. Efforts to revitalize local food production are being undertaken by organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aiming to shift the narrative from crisis to resilience building.
- News of progress in the region has been few and far between, but in May 2025, the Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government reached an agreement to reopen a vital road linking Sana’a with Aden, potentially improving access to healthcare and other services.
- As the number of people going hungry in Yemen continues to escalate, concerns about crime-and-justice and the justice system rising in the wake of mounting hardships are being raised by international bodies.
- As the world watches with bated breath, the future of Yemen and the lives of its people hang in the balance, with the hope that political resolutions and active international support can prevent a total collapse of the humanitarian situation in the country.
