Yemen Famine Causes, The food security situation in Government-controlled areas of southern Yemen is dire, with nearly half the population facing acute food insecurity and struggling to find their next meal. Conflict uproots families, destroys economies, ruins infrastructure and destroys agricultural production. A total of 4. Sep 15, 2025 · Yemen faces a surge of violence and hunger that threatens millions with starvation and risks destabilizing neighbouring countries. War ruins lives, uproots communities, and wrecks food systems, making it the primary cause of hunger in Yemen. An estimated 16. • The Bengal Famine of 1943 caused between 2. Here’s an overview of the situation: Key Causes of the Famine: Civil War: The conflict between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, has devastated Yemen’s economy, healthcare, and food systems. [113][97][114] The Wall Street Journal reported in March 2023 that Iran agreed to halt all military support to the Houthis and abide by the UN What are the main causes of the global food crisis? Conflict Nearly 70 percent of acutely food-insecure people lived in fragile or conflict-affected countries in 2025. 6 million Yemenis had been displaced since 2015 due to conflict, famine, multiple diseases, and lack of essential services. [6] A total of 25,827 suspected cases, including 129 deaths, were reported by The armed conflict in Yemen has resulted in the largest humanitarian crisis in the world; parties to the conflict have killed and injured thousands of Yemeni civilians. If the international community and local decision-makers fail to address the root causes of Yemen’s conflict and to find a sustainable resolution to the current crisis, the country will continue experiencing further deterioration in environmental conditions and increased resource-based conflicts. Conflict destroys lives, uproots communities and wrecks food systems, making it the primary cause of hunger. A report released by the two UN agencies on Tuesday identifies six that are at the highest risk of famine or catastrophic hunger: Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Yemen. A starving country Yemen’s food crisis is a direct, man-made result of the war. Following the gruesome assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the humanitarian crisis caused by the Saudi-led war and blockade in Yemen, Americans began to grow more skeptical of Saudi Arabia. However, the outlook for the period between now until the end of 2023 indicates the need for more programme investments, as the Five million people who are at immediate risk of slipping into famine conditions have continued to receive a full food ration. The collapse of incomes and increase in prices have pushed food beyond many people’s reach. Since the outbreak of civil war in 2014, the country’s agricultural systems, economy, and healthcare infrastructure have deteriorated significantly, leading to widespread hunger, malnutrition, and a medical collapse Food insecurity is currently among the most pressing challenges in Yemen. What are the causes of hunger? Conflict is the primary cause of today's hunger crisis, driving people away from their land and livelihoods, disrupting markets, increasing food prices and destroying critical developmental gains. S. Not just a tactic for dictators Starvation is one of the oldest weapons of war. But what exactly is famine and how can we stop it? In 2024, a stagnating food crisis in Yemen reached unprecedented levels and currently threatens over 9 million people. The UN’s humanitarian chief has sent a chilling warning that Yemen is facing the world’s worst famine in decades in which millions could die, if Saudi Arabia continues to block aid flowing The crisis in Yemen, now in its seventh year of war, continues unabated, with thousands of people displaced and millions “a step away from starvation”, the UN Humanitarian Relief Coordinator said on Wednesday during a high-level side event on the margins of the 76th General Assembly. Meanwhile, acute malnutrition among young children and mothers in Yemen has been on the rise. These have been High levels of food insecurity persist as the crisis has devastated livelihoods and the economy and pushed households to exhaust coping strategies. Executive Summary Yemen is entering its most dangerous food security phase in years. Natural disasters and climate-induced events, such as drought and flooding, are also key drivers of displacement and have heightened existing needs. The eight-year-old conflict in Yemen is between the Yemen will be gripped by famine – one the likes of which the world has not seen in years – if the blockade on basic supplies into the country imposed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition is not lifted immediately, the top United Nations humanitarian official has warned.