INTRODUCTION

Humanitarian Overview

After more than seven years of conflict, millions of people in Yemen are suffering from the compounded effects of armed violence, an ongoing economic crisis, and disrupted public services. In 2022, an estimated 23.4 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services. 

Following intense fighting in the first months of 2022, the political and conflict environment shifted significantly in April upon the transition of power to the Presidential Leadership Council and the announcement of a UN-brokered truce. 

The subsequent six-month period, up to the truce’s expiry at the beginning of October, offered a glimpse of hope for many people. Civilian casualties and displacement decreased, a steady flow of fuel imports was received through Al Hodeidah port, and commercial flights resumed through Sana’a International Airport. 

Despite these overarching benefits, localized clashes continued in some areas, including Ta’iz and Ad Dale’, and landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) posed heightened risks, especially in the context of increased civilian movement. 

Tensions have increased following the truce's expiry, although no major military escalation or offensive has taken place. Despite extensive efforts, an agreement to extend the truce had not been reached as of the end of November.

The continued fragility of Yemen’s economy in 2022 exacerbated vulnerabilities among poor families, including the depreciation of the Yemeni rial (YER), macroeconomic instability, the de facto separation of economic institutions, the issuance of competing monetary policies, and decreasing household purchasing power. 

Being largely reliant on imported food and goods, Yemen is extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices. Throughout the year, pressures on international supply chains stemming from the crisis in Ukraine have heightened global food insecurity and contributed to increased food prices in Yemeni markets. 

Yemen’s public services and infrastructure have been severely impacted by the conflict, deteriorating economy, and recurrent natural hazards. More than 80 percent of the country’s population struggles to access food, safe drinking water, and adequate health services, while nearly 90 percent of the population has no access to publicly supplied electricity. 

Most public sector employees, including teachers and healthcare workers, have not received a regular salary in years. While this issue has formed part of discussions between the parties throughout 2022, little progress has been made by the end of the year. 

Bureaucratic impediments continue to delay and hinder the delivery of principled humanitarian assistance, and security incidents increased throughout 2022, including carjackings, kidnappings, and attacks on humanitarian personnel and infrastructure.

About 1.6 million people live in 2,431 IDP settlements across Yemen, predominantly in the Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, and Marib regions. These displaced people live within host communities, putting extra strain on resources and infrastructure. In the first three quarters of 2022, conflict led to the displacement of an estimated 222,000 people across 173 districts, primarily in the Al Hodeidah, Al Jawf, Marib, and Ta'iz regions. 

During the ceasefire, the monthly rate of displacement fell by 76% compared to the half-year before the truce. Seasonal flooding between July and September 2022 caused over 160,000 new and secondary displacement movements, 60% of which occurred in Hajjah and Al Hodeidah.

Natural disasters and environmental risks pose significant threats to the people of Yemen, leading to displacement and heightened vulnerability while straining infrastructure and services. As per the 2022 INFORM Climate Change Risk Index, Yemen is the third most climate changevulnerable and unprepared country after Somalia and South Sudan. Over the past 30 years, Yemen's temperature increases have outpaced the global average. 

The country is experiencing disastrous effects of climate change such as extreme droughts and heatwaves. From January to June 2022, the FAO reported severe drought conditions in Yemen, coupled with an extraordinary rise in temperature that affected its farming regions. In contrast, August 2022 saw 80% of the country experiencing rainfall 45% higher than the previous year, resulting in destructive flooding that affected hundreds of thousands.