According to a December update by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Yemen’s 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 25% funded, despite worsening conditions for millions of people across the country. The shortfall is affecting all sectors, with health and protection services among the hardest hit.
The health system, weakened by more than a decade of conflict and chronic underinvestment, is described as being “on the brink”. Since January last year, 453 health facilities across 22 governorates have faced partial or imminent closure. These include hospitals, primary healthcare centres and mobile clinics, significantly reducing access to essential services.
The disruptions are unfolding against a backdrop of widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, unsafe water and sanitation, and recurring disease outbreaks. Millions of people now face diminished access to basic healthcare, maternal services and emergency treatment.
Funding cuts are affecting both areas under the internationally recognised Government and territories controlled by the de facto Houthi authorities, highlighting the nationwide impact of the crisis rather than a challenge confined to one side of the conflict.
Food security and nutrition remain major concerns. While humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance where possible, reduced funding has limited coverage at a time when many families are struggling to afford food or recover from climate-related shocks. Flooding in Marib earlier in 2025 further compounded vulnerabilities, displacing families and damaging livelihoods.
A co-ordinated flood response in Marib demonstrated how shock-responsive cash assistance can help households recover more quickly. However, aid agencies warn that such approaches require sustained and predictable funding to be effective at scale.
Despite the bleak outlook, OCHA highlighted the continued importance of the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, which has helped direct limited resources towards priority, life-saving interventions. Community-based projects aimed at restoring dignity and resilience among displaced families have also shown impact, even amid severe constraints.
Yemen has been devastated by conflict since 2014, following the takeover of the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthis. Although large-scale fighting has eased in recent years, tensions remain high and the risk of renewed hostilities persists.
OCHA has urged donors to urgently step up support, warning that without additional funding, further service closures are likely, with devastating consequences for Yemen’s most vulnerable communities.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
