Three United Nations agencies have issued a stark warning about the worsening food crisis in Yemen, revealing that more than half the population in government-controlled areas is facing acute food insecurity.

In a joint statement, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) described the situation as “critical,” citing a sharp decline in humanitarian funding, ongoing economic collapse, and intensifying climate shocks as key drivers of the crisis.

Between May and August 2025, an estimated 4.95 million people are projected to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse, including 1.5 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). The agencies warn that without urgent and sustained assistance, this number could rise to 5.38 million by early 2026, representing over half the population in government-held regions.

The report highlights the vulnerability of internally displaced families, rural households, and malnourished children, noting that 2.4 million children under five and 1.5 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition, putting them at heightened risk of disease and death.

The UN agencies are calling for immediate funding and expanded humanitarian interventions, including food aid, livelihood support, and access to essential services, to prevent communities from sliding deeper into hunger and deprivation.