Aden – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded the alarm over Yemen’s deepening humanitarian crisis, reporting that more than 19 million people across the country are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection services.

According to the 2025 Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, the protracted conflict, economic collapse, and climate shocks have left over half of Yemen’s population vulnerable to food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and violence. The situation is particularly dire for women, children, and marginalized communities, who face heightened risks of exploitation, displacement, and lack of access to basic services.

“Years of conflict have robbed millions of children of their futures,” UNICEF stated. “Malnutrition, disrupted education, and exposure to violence have become daily realities for Yemen’s youngest generation”.

The report highlights that:

- Nearly 13 million people lack access to clean water.

- 40% of health facilities are partially or completely non-functional.

- 3.2 million children are out of school, with many facing overcrowded classrooms and under-resourced teachers.

Despite ongoing humanitarian efforts, UNICEF and its partners warn that the scale of need continues to outpace available resources. The UN is appealing for $2.47 billion in funding to support life-saving interventions targeting 10.5 million of the most vulnerable individuals.

Humanitarian agencies stress that without sustained international support and a political resolution to the conflict, Yemen’s crisis will continue to escalate, threatening the lives and dignity of millions.