Aden (South24 Center)

The World Food Programme (WFP) stated in its 2026 Humanitarian Outlook report (November 2025 to May 2026) that Yemen is heading toward an "extremely difficult" year unless urgent funding of $802.3 million is secured to prevent unprecedented levels of acute food insecurity.

This represents the second highest financial requirement requested by the program globally after the Palestinian territories, which need $889.4 million, reflecting the scale of humanitarian vulnerability in Yemen compared to other conflict hotspots.

According to the report, 18.1 million people in Yemen – representing 52 percent of the population -- face crisis-level conditions or worse, including 9.4 million in areas at risk of acute hunger (Phase 4 and above). These individuals are distributed between 7.3 million in Houthi-controlled areas and 2.1 million in territories of the internationally recognized government.

The WFP projects that 2026 will witness additional expansion of hunger globally, with the number of people facing critical or worse levels of food insecurity reaching 318 million in conflict-affected countries.

The program estimates that the total funding required to reach 110 million of the world's most vulnerable people amounts to $13 billion.

This warning comes as the Houthi group intensifies security measures in areas under its control, including putting 21 UN staff on trial on charges of "espionage," in addition to storming the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in Sana'a on November 12, according to local sources.

The group has accused the staff of the humanitarian organizations of being part of an "espionage network" linked to American, Israeli, and Saudi intelligence agencies.

Since the Gaza ceasefire, the Houthis have intensified raids and arrests targeting UN staff, confiscating technical equipment and communication devices from international organization offices, including Oxfam and the office of UN Envoy Hans Grundberg.

Growing concerns are emerging in Yemeni circles that this escalation may weaken donor confidence and deepen their apprehensions about the humanitarian operating environment in Yemen, potentially impacting the pace of international funding for relief programs.

In a November 12 statement, UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg stated that the continued detention of UN staff "hinders aid delivery and undermines confidence in mediation efforts."

This month, Grundberg continued his regional movements to revive the political track on Yemen, through a tour that included Muscat, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi, where he met with Yemeni and regional officials as well as the Houthi negotiation delegation.