Humanitarian situation Millions of people in need of aid

    The United Nations considers the situation in Yemen as one of the worst humanitarian crises worldwide. As a consequence of the current conflict, nearly 22 million of the country's approximately 33 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid, including nearly 13 million children. Some 17 million people are food insecure. More than 4.5 million people have been internally displaced.

    Ruin near an aid facility in Raymah, Yemen.

    Ruin near an aid facility in Raymah, Yemen.

    Ruin near an aid facility in Raymah, Yemen.

    Food and energy supplies and the health system have largely broken down. Yemen has seen repeated outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera, malaria, dengue, polio, and COVID-19. Some 8.6 million school-age children have only limited access to education.

    While the security situation has improved slightly thanks to the ceasefire that was agreed in 2022, the economic situation and the availability of basic services have continued to deteriorate. The continuing economic blockade, fuel shortages, disastrous floods, and rising food prices and disrupted supply chains in the wake of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine are causing hardship for the people. In the past, Yemen imported 40 per cent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.

    The situation is exacerbated by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has not only caused loss of income as a result of reduced job opportunities. It has also led to a significant drop in remittances from other countries, a source of income on which many families depend.


    Aid programmes massively underfunded

    According to United Nations estimates, humanitarian needs in Yemen amount to 4.3 billion US dollars. In February 2023, an international donor conference for Yemen was held, but pledges only amounted to about 1.2 billion US dollars. Germany is providing a total of 120 million euros (of which 51.1 million comes from the BMZ budget).

    As at: 28/03/2023