Human Rights Organization Warns of Worsening Food Crisis in Yemen, Calls for Urgent International Intervention
Yemen's Rasd Organization for Rights and Freedoms warned on Friday of the worsening food security crisis in Yemen, stressing that the country has been facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis since 2014 due to the ongoing conflict, economic deterioration, displacement, rising food prices, and declining humanitarian funding.
In a statement on World Food Day, October 16, the organization stated that about 18.3 million people in Yemen are projected to face acute food insecurity during 2026. Meanwhile, about 2.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, with nearly 500,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition, according to the statement's data.
It noted that the crisis has worsened over the past years, with the number of Yemenis suffering from food insecurity exceeding 20 million people in 2019, while 2025 data showed that more than 17 million people were facing high levels of food insecurity.
Regarding the city of Taiz, the organization warned of the repercussions of the ongoing siege, noting that more than 2.5 million people, including about 140,000 displaced persons, are affected by the humanitarian situation in the city, according to the statement.
It added that the local authorities' appeal to provide basic food for the population reflects the severity of the situation, warning that the crisis could worsen unless UN and international organizations intervene to ensure humanitarian access and protect civilians.
The organization stressed that the persistence of food insecurity indicators for more than a decade poses a serious threat to the right to food, life, and health, calling for a move beyond emergency responses towards supporting the economy, agricultural production, and livelihoods, in addition to ensuring unimpeded access for aid to those in need.
It called on the international community, donors, and humanitarian organizations to increase funding for the humanitarian response, strengthen food security and nutrition programs, and support the income sources of affected families.
It also urged the United Nations and its agencies to assume their legal and ethical responsibilities to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of food, medicine, and basic necessities to the affected population.
المصدر: Rasd Organization
