The United Nations has warned that Yemen is facing a rapid economic and humanitarian decline expected to continue through February 2026, driven by soaring food and fuel prices, a collapsing currency, and shrinking purchasing power—threatening to deepen the food insecurity crisis affecting more than 18 million people across the country.

The warning came in the monthly Food Security and Nutrition Market Bulletin issued by the Food Security and Nutrition Information System (FSNIS), a joint initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF.

The report noted that the Yemeni rial has sharply depreciated in government-controlled areas, reaching an average exchange rate of 2,533 rials per U.S. dollar in May 2025, compared to 533 rials in areas under Sana’a authorities—highlighting a stark disparity in purchasing power across the country.

Fuel prices have surged by up to 35%, while basic food items have risen by 37% in some regions. With wages failing to keep pace, households are experiencing a sharp decline in living standards, forcing many to reduce meals or rely on insufficient humanitarian aid.

The UN urged the international community to provide urgent financial support, scale up food security programs, and expand cash assistance to the most vulnerable, warning that continued deterioration could lead to widespread famine if timely intervention is not secured.