United Nations: Over 17 million people in war-ravaged Yemen are facing hunger, including more than a million children under five suffering from what the United Nations describes as “life-threatening acute malnutrition”, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Fletcher highlighted that the food security crisis in Yemen has intensified since late 2023. He cautioned that the number of people affected by hunger could rise to over 18 million by September, while the number of malnourished children may climb to 1.2 million early next year, “leaving many at risk of permanent physical and cognitive damage”. He added that the UN hasn't observed such extreme deprivation since before the UN-brokered truce in early 2022.
This deterioration comes amid a steep drop in humanitarian funding. By mid-May, only USD 222 million of the USD 2.5 billion appeal for Yemen had been met—just 9 per cent—resulting in major cuts to aid, including food.
Yemen has been mired in civil war since 2014, when Houthi rebels—backed by Iran—took control of the capital Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognised government into exile in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition began military operations against the rebels in 2015, aiming to reinstate the government.
The prolonged conflict has devastated Yemen and contributed to one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises, with more than 150,000 lives lost, including both civilians and combatants.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, in a video briefing to the Council, drew attention to recent escalations—two Houthi attacks on Red Sea commercial vessels this week, the first in over seven months, along with Israeli airstrikes targeting Yemen’s capital and strategic ports.
The Houthis have stated their intention to continue targeting Red Sea vessels until the war in Gaza concludes.
Grundberg warned against escalating tensions and said that freedom of navigation in the Red Sea “must be safeguarded”, cautioning that “Yemen must not be drawn deeper into regional crises that threaten to unravel the already extremely fragile situation in the country.” He emphasised, “The stakes for Yemen are simply too high,” adding, “Yemen's future depends on our collective resolve to shield it from further suffering and to give its people the hope and dignity they so deeply deserve.”
He also reiterated that a military solution “remains a dangerous illusion that risks deepening Yemen's suffering.” Instead, negotiations are the most viable path forward. Grundberg said the longer the conflict continues, “there is a risk that divisions could deepen further.”
As part of trust-building efforts, he urged both sides to demonstrate a willingness for peace, pointing out that the parties had agreed to an all-for-all detainee release but the process “has stagnated for over a year”.
(inputs from PTI)