Sana'a -- The United Nations has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating conditions of rural communities in Yemen, revealing that approximately 600,000 families dependent on agriculture and livestock are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance to sustain their livelihoods in the coming months.

According to the 2025 Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, launched by the UN and its partners, the country’s prolonged conflict, economic collapse, and climate shocks have severely disrupted farming and herding activities. These sectors, which form the backbone of rural life, are now at risk of collapse without immediate support.

The report highlights that Yemen’s agricultural and pastoral households are among the most vulnerable, facing compounding threats from food insecurity, displacement, and lack of access to essential services. Many families are struggling to feed their livestock, access seeds and tools, or secure clean water for irrigation and daily use.

“Without timely intervention, hundreds of thousands of families could lose their only source of income,” the UN warned, emphasizing that emergency aid is critical to prevent further deterioration and protect rural livelihoods.

The humanitarian plan calls for $2.47 billion in funding to address the country’s urgent needs, including targeted support for farming and herding communities. This includes the provision of feed, veterinary services, agricultural inputs, and cash assistance to help families recover and rebuild.

The UN also stressed the importance of sustainable solutions, urging donors and partners to invest in resilience-building programs that can help rural communities withstand future shocks and reduce dependency on aid.

As Yemen enters its second decade of crisis, the plight of its rural population underscores the broader humanitarian emergency gripping the nation. With over 19.5 million people in need of assistance, the international community faces a critical test in mobilizing resources and delivering aid where it is most needed.