Aden – A senior United Nations official has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, describing the country as on the brink of “mass starvation” due to rising food prices, ongoing conflict, and a collapsing economy.

Speaking before the UN Security Council, Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher revealed that over 17 million Yemenis are already struggling to meet basic food needs, with an additional one million expected to fall into extreme hunger by early 2026. 

He emphasized that 70% of households lack sufficient food, marking the highest rate ever recorded in the country.

“Yemen is now the third most food-insecure country on Earth,” Fletcher stated. “One in five households goes a full day and night without any food at all. This is not just a humanitarian emergency—it’s a moral failure.”

The warning comes amid renewed hostilities in several provinces, including Al Dhale’, Ma’rib, and Ta’iz, where clashes between Houthi forces and government-aligned troops have intensified. The situation is further complicated by the detention of UN aid workers and attacks on critical infrastructure, which have severely disrupted relief operations.

Despite limited funding and operational challenges, humanitarian agencies have scaled up emergency responses in areas like Hajjah and Amran, delivering food, clean water, and medical support to tens of thousands of displaced families.

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg echoed the urgency, calling Yemen “a mirror and magnifier of regional volatility,” and urged international actors to refocus efforts on securing a nationwide ceasefire and restoring economic stability.

The UN has appealed for increased funding and diplomatic pressure to prevent the crisis from spiraling further, warning that without immediate action, Yemen could face one of the worst famines in modern history.