Yemen Food Crisis: Southern Areas at Risk
- Yemen's protracted conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels continues to fuel a dire humanitarian crisis, with a growing food insecurity crisis particularly impacting populations in the south.A...
- The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released a partial update Monday, revealing that approximately 4.95 million people are grappling with crisis-level food insecurity or worse (Phase 3+)...
- These figures represent a important increase of 370,000 people experiencing severe food insecurity compared to the period between November 2024 and February 2025.
Millions in Yemen face severe food insecurity. Discover the escalating crisis impacting the south, where nearly 5 million people grapple wiht crisis-level food insecurity. The situation worsened, with a significant increase of 370,000 individuals facing severe food insecurity, and projections suggest an additional 420,000 could be at risk. the primary drivers are conflict and economic decline, and this threatens vulnerable populations. Humanitarian agencies are actively working to provide critical aid, focusing on nutrition and food security for children and women.News Directory 3 delivers timely updates to the public. What steps are being taken to combat this crisis and build resilience? Discover what’s next …
Millions in Yemen Face Severe Food Insecurity Amid Ongoing Crisis
Updated June 24, 2025
Yemen’s protracted conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels continues to fuel a dire humanitarian crisis, with a growing food insecurity crisis particularly impacting populations in the south.A recent assessment highlights the escalating challenges faced by millions.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released a partial update Monday, revealing that approximately 4.95 million people are grappling with crisis-level food insecurity or worse (Phase 3+) as of May 2025. This includes 1.5 million individuals facing emergency-level food insecurity (Phase 4).
These figures represent a important increase of 370,000 people experiencing severe food insecurity compared to the period between November 2024 and February 2025. The UN World Food Program (WFP) has warned of further deterioration, potentially pushing an additional 420,000 people into crisis-level food insecurity or worse.
If this projection holds true, the total number of severely food-insecure individuals in southern governorate areas could reach 5.38 million, representing more than half of the population. The escalating food crisis in Yemen is driven by a combination of factors, including economic decline, currency depreciation, ongoing conflict, and increasingly severe weather patterns.
Humanitarian agencies, including WFP, UNICEF, and FAO, are focusing their efforts on high-risk areas, delivering integrated support across food security, nutrition, sanitation, health, and protection to maximize their impact. Siemon Hollema, deputy country director of WFP in Yemen, expressed deep concern about the rising number of people unsure of where their next meal will come from, especially amid unprecedented funding challenges.
Internally displaced persons, low-income rural households, and vulnerable children are particularly affected. Approximately 2.4 million children under the age of 5 and 1.5 million pregnant and lactating women are currently suffering from acute malnutrition.
What’s next
WFP, UNICEF, and FAO are urgently appealing for sustained and large-scale humanitarian and livelihood assistance to prevent communities from falling deeper into food insecurity. Dr. Hussain Gadain, FAO representative in Yemen, emphasized that with urgent support, local food production can be revitalized, livelihoods safeguarded, and a transition from crisis to resilience building can be achieved.