Sana'a – The United Nations has released its bleakest food security outlook for Yemen since 2022, warning that the country is once again on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. 

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an estimated 18.1 million people are currently facing acute hunger, with 166 districts expected to slide into emergency levels of food insecurity this month.

The report highlights that without sustained and large-scale humanitarian assistance, up to 41,000 people could face catastrophic, famine-like conditions. 

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are among the hardest hit, with nearly 70% of families reporting they cannot meet basic food needs. Alarmingly, nearly one in three families went a full 24 hours without eating during June.

OCHA attributes the worsening crisis to a collapsing economy, prolonged conflict, climate shocks, and deteriorating essential services. 

Currency volatility, surging food prices, and widespread unemployment have severely eroded purchasing power, making staple foods unaffordable for millions. 

Agricultural disruptions caused by droughts and floods are also threatening the livelihoods of over 5 million farmers and nearly 10 million livestock keepers.

The UN has called for urgent international support to prevent further deterioration and to protect the most vulnerable communities across Yemen.