The United Nations estimates that over 17 million people in Yemen, the majority located in Houthi-controlled areas, will face acute food insecurity this year, a figure equal to half the country's population.

In its “2025 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan” report released on Saturday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 17.1 million people, nearly 49% of the population, will suffer from acute food insecurity this year.

The figure represents a decrease of half a million people compared to the previous year, which was estimated at 17.6 million.

According to the report, the prolonged food crisis in Yemen stems from a complex interplay of vulnerabilities and exacerbating factors, including “intermittent conflicts, displacement, economic disruptions, currency instability, rising food prices, limited income and livelihood opportunities, and the impacts of climate change.”

The report noted that 12.4 million people, or 73% of those facing acute food insecurity this year, are in Houthi-controlled regions, compared to 4.7 million in the legitimate government areas.

Among those affected, 5.1 million people will experience critical levels of acute food insecurity, with 4 million in the north and 1.1 million in the south.

The report revealed that this year’s humanitarian response plan aims to reach 12 million of the most vulnerable people, including 6.6 million children, 2.6 million women, and 2.8 million men, through emergency food assistance and livelihood support.