Geneva: The UN warned Monday of a sharp deterioration in Yemen's humanitarian situation, stating that 2026 could be "the worst on record" due to a significant decline in humanitarian funding, escalating food insecurity, a fragile health system, and continued restrictions on humanitarian organizations, particularly in northern Yemen.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Julien Harneis, expressed concerns during a briefing in Geneva. He highlighted that around 19.5 million people required humanitarian assistance last year, yet the Humanitarian Response Plan was funded at only 28 percent, receiving a mere USD 688 million of the necessary amount. This shortfall severely undermines the ability of the UN and its partners to address the basic needs of the population.
Harneis emphasized the worsening food insecurity across the country, specifically on the Tehama along the Red Sea, where early signs of rising malnutrition and deteriorating health services are already apparent. He further noted that the health system, supported by the United Nations in collaboration with the World Bank for the past decade, is entering a critical phase. The potential inability to maintain this support poses significant consequences, given the financial and institutional limitations of the government and authorities in Sana'a.
The deteriorating food security and health system have left Yemen increasingly vulnerable to epidemics, with the country already recording the highest measles rates worldwide and experiencing recurrent cholera outbreaks, especially in the northern governorates. Harneis reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations, international NGOs, and local organizations to bridge gaps in the humanitarian response. However, he pointed out that the detention of 73 UN staff members since 2021 and the seizure of UN offices have severely curtailed the organization's operational capabilities, creating an unsafe environment that impedes the implementation of crucial humanitarian programs.