International Organizations Warn of Sharp Escalation in Yemen’s Hunger Crisis During 2026
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
Six international organizations have warned of a sharp worsening of the food insecurity crisis in Yemen during 2026, as risks associated with escalating military conflict, weak state institutions, and the collapse of central authority persist.
A joint report issued by the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, the World Bank, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that Yemen ranks fourth globally among countries most affected by food shortages.
The report indicated that more than half of Yemen’s population—approximately 18.3 million people—face levels of food insecurity at the “Crisis” stage or worse during the current year. It noted that about 41,000 people in Houthi-controlled areas are facing the highest levels of food insecurity, classified under the “Catastrophe” stage.
Furthermore, the report added that 61% of Yemeni households were unable to secure their minimum food needs by the end of 2025. The organizations warned that any additional security deterioration or disruptions could deepen the crisis and create obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid, amid the ongoing economic crisis, the suspension of oil exports, and the country’s monetary division.
The organizations emphasized that the continuing political and military conflict, combined with weak institutional infrastructure, exacerbates the fragility of the humanitarian situation. This necessitates urgent international action to support relief efforts and mitigate the consequences of the crisis.
