Humanitarian Response in Yemen Faces Critical Funding Cuts Amid Rising Needs

Humanitarian Response in Yemen Affected by Funding Cuts

The humanitarian response in Yemen, already fragile, is being pushed to a critical point due to drastic funding reductions, the UN warned in a Sunday update, highlighting the growing risks for millions of people across the country.

According to the December humanitarian update from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2025 is only 25% funded, forcing agencies to cut essential life-saving services despite the continually increasing needs.

Health and protection services have been particularly affected, exposing vulnerable communities to rising risks. The already weakened health system is 'on the brink of collapse,' according to the report. Since January of last year, 453 healthcare facilities have faced partial or imminent closure across 22 governorates, including hospitals and mobile clinics.

These disruptions occur against a backdrop of food insecurity, malnutrition, unsafe water and sanitation, and recurrent outbreaks of diseases. The funding cuts affect both areas controlled by the internationally recognized government and those under the de facto authority of the Houthi, underscoring the national impact of the financial crisis.

Millions of people now face reduced access to basic medical care, maternal services, and emergency treatments. Beyond health, food security and nutrition remain major concerns. While partners continue to provide assistance where possible, reduced funding has limited coverage as many families struggle to afford food or recover from climate shocks, including the floods that hit Marib governorate earlier in 2025.

A coordinated response to the floods demonstrated how responsive financial assistance can help families recover more quickly, but such approaches require constant resources.

Despite the bleak outlook, OCHA highlighted the importance of continuing the Yemen Humanitarian Fund, which has helped direct limited resources toward essential interventions, maintaining community projects aimed at restoring dignity and resilience for displaced families.

Yemen has been devastated by over a decade of conflict between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government since the Houthis took control of the capital, Sana'a, in 2014. Although large-scale fighting has diminished in recent years, tensions remain high, and the risk of renewed hostilities persists, threatening to reverse fragile gains and further deepen humanitarian needs.

OCHA has urged donors to increase support, warning that without urgent funding, even more services are likely to close, with devastating consequences for the most vulnerable people in Yemen.