Brussels, Belgium – The United Nations warned that cuts to international funding for Yemen will lead to a serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation in 2026, threatening to undermine the limited gains made in recent years in combating malnutrition and improving health services.
Julian Harneis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, told reporters in Geneva that the situation is “extremely worrying,” predicting that the humanitarian situation will be “significantly worse” this year than last year, given the continued economic collapse, the disruption of basic services, and the absence of a clear political horizon.
Large funding gap
According to UN estimates, some 21 million Yemenis will require humanitarian assistance in 2026, a significant increase from 19.5 million the previous year. Harnes attributed this deterioration to worsening poverty, currency collapse, and the decline in health and education services, coupled with ongoing political instability.
The UN official noted that funding traditionally provided by Western countries to Yemen has declined sharply. The United States has reduced its aid spending, while other Western donors have cut back on support as they prioritize increased defense spending, creating a substantial funding gap for UN programs. He added that hopes are pinned on the Gulf states, explaining that Saudi Arabia is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation and is exploring the possibility of providing additional support.
The security situation has deteriorated
Harnes revealed that the UN received only $680 million in 2025, a mere 28% of the required funding. He warned that the Yemeni health system, which has been sustained throughout a decade of war, is on the verge of collapse, making the country more vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases such as measles and polio.
He explained that UN agencies are currently limited to government-controlled areas, unable to access Houthi-controlled areas, which represent approximately 70% of humanitarian needs. He also noted the deteriorating security situation for UN staff, with 73 employees detained since 2021. Harnes concluded by warning that “children are already dying, and with declining funding, the situation will only worsen,” emphasizing that Yemen continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
