Yemen on brink of famine as millions face life-threatening hunger

ADEN, Yemen – Yemen is confronting a rapidly escalating food crisis, with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warning that millions of people could face life-threatening hunger in the coming months. The crisis is being driven by a deadly combination of years of conflict, economic collapse, climate shocks, and sharp reductions in humanitarian funding.

Over 18 million Yemenis, more than half the population, are expected to face worsening food insecurity in early 2026, with one million people at risk of life-threatening hunger, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) projections. The country currently carries the highest global burden of IPC Phase 4 food insecurity, with pockets of famine expected in four districts within weeks.

Humanitarian funding has plummeted to historic lows. By the end of 2025, aid coverage was below 25 percent, the lowest level in a decade, while nutrition assistance received under 10 percent of required funding. These shortfalls leave families struggling to meet basic needs amid soaring food prices and ongoing conflict.

““People of Yemen still remember when they didn’t know where their next meal would come from. I fear we are returning to this dark chapter again. What distinguishes the current deterioration is its speed and trajectory,” said Caroline Sekyewa, IRC Country Director in Yemen.

“Food insecurity in Yemen is no longer a looming risk; it is a daily reality forcing parents into impossible choices. Some parents have told us they have started collecting wild plants to keep their children fed while they sleep on an empty stomach. Rising prices, the brunt of conflict and prolonged displacement are pushing households deeper into crisis,” she added.

Sekyewa also noted, “Yemen’s food security crisis is not inevitable. Immediate, targeted donor action in the coming months can prevent widespread loss of life and help communities get back on their feet before emergency conditions escalate further. IRC’s evidence shows that cash assistance remains one of the most effective ways to help families meet their food needs with dignity, protect their children and avoid resorting to harmful ways for survival. It is not too late to prevent an even greater tragedy.”  

The humanitarian and food security situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate at an alarming pace. Analysts warn that without urgent, targeted aid, the country could slide back into the severe food shortages and famine conditions that defined previous phases of its crisis.