The food insecurity crisis in Yemen continues to worsen, especially in Houthi controlled areas, despite relative stabilized conditions in regions controlled by the legitimate government, supported by the resumption of Saudi assistance, said a recent report published by the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET).
The report noted that Yemen continues to face one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises, amid ongoing economic conflict, eroded household income sources and low levels of international funding.
However, the report noted, the reassertion of the Yemeni government’s control alongside the resumption of Saudi financial support, has reduced immediate political uncertainty and helped stabilize conditions in recent months.
These developments also helped achieve a limited improvement in economic indicators, mainly through the support of government salary payments and fiscal budget, reflected in the purchasing power of some households.
Ongoing Crisis
Despite limited positive indicators, the report emphasized that the Yemeni government still faces complex structural challenges, including inadequate funding for public services and delayed salary payments in some sectors.
The report noted that risks of destabilization persist due to ongoing factional tensions within the government-controlled areas and the economic conflict between Houthis and the Internationally Recognized Government, limiting the extent to which recent political developments translate into sustained improvements in food security.
FEWS NET said crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes, in which at least one in five households has an extreme lack of food, are expected to continue across the country through May.
Most Vulnerable
Also, the report showed that Houthi-controlled areas will remain the most affected by the food crisis, especially in Hodeidah and Hajjah governorates, as well as parts of Taiz governorate amid internal tensions and the ongoing conflict between Houthis and government forces.
“Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes are projected to persist in these areas,” the FEWS NET report noted, which means at least one in five households has an extreme lack of food.
It said slow recovery of key revenue-generating infrastructures has diminished labor demand and eroded household income sources.
“Poor households are facing large food consumption deficits or resorting to emergency coping strategies, such as begging, to access food,” the report noted.
Meanwhile, several UN reports have confirmed that Yemen continues to face a deepening humanitarian crisis — and women and girls are bearing the heaviest burden.
Conflict, displacement, economic collapse and access constraints are pushing sexual and reproductive health and protection services to the brink. As needs rise, funding shortfalls are forcing critical services to scale back.
In 2025, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) appealed for $70 million to sustain life-saving services, but received only $25.5 million, leaving a $44.5 million gap. As a result, nearly 2 million women and girls were left without essential care — with preventable deaths where services were suspended.
