Yemen Monitor / New York / Exclusive:
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, warned on Tuesday of the accelerating pace of food insecurity and the deepening threat of famine in Yemen.
The warning came during a briefing delivered to the public session of the UN Security Council in New York, which focused on the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict and severe economic collapse in the country.
Fletcher painted a grim picture of the humanitarian situation, stating that more than 18 million Yemenis—nearly half of the population—are already experiencing acute hunger. He revealed a concerning record indicator showing that the proportion of people unable to secure sufficient food increased from 50% to nearly 60% in just one month, describing the deterioration as “moving faster than the humanitarian response can contain.”
The relief coordinator explained that areas under the control of the internationally recognized government are facing a severe crisis, with approximately 5 million people suffering from extreme hunger, a quarter of whom are living under emergency conditions. He also noted that more than 2.2 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition as a result of the broader economic decline and collapse of health services.
Regarding areas controlled by the Houthi group, Fletcher highlighted the lack of visibility and reliable data due to the strict restrictions imposed by the group on assessment mechanisms. He warned the Security Council that “the absence of data does not in any way mean the absence of need or an improvement in conditions.”
The UN official also renewed criticism of the continued detention of 73 UN staff members, along with dozens of employees from non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and diplomatic missions, by the Houthis for periods exceeding two years. Fletcher stressed that these arbitrary detentions and ongoing threats not only undermine humanitarian operations but have also forced the United Nations to reassess its direct activities in Houthi-controlled areas. At the same time, he praised local NGOs that continue to lead relief efforts under extremely dangerous conditions.
In the conclusion of his briefing, Fletcher sounded the alarm over international funding shortages, noting that Yemen’s 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan has faced an unprecedented funding gap, with less than 15% of the required funding secured so far.
He emphasized that this severe financial shortfall has compelled international agencies to scale back or suspend critical life-saving programs, including direct food assistance and emergency healthcare services. Fletcher warned that if the funding paralysis continues, millions of Yemenis could be pushed to the brink of actual famine.
