Algerian Radio
The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate as the country faces worsening food insecurity and an unprecedented drop in humanitarian funding, the UN has warned.
"The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is worsening even as our capacity to respond to it has been significantly reduced," stated Acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Indrika Ratwatte, during a Security Council meeting held Monday at the request of the Yemeni government.
Yemen is simultaneously facing worsening food insecurity, the expected effects of the El Niño phenomenon on crops and livelihoods, and an unprecedented decline in humanitarian funding.
More than 18 million people are currently suffering from hunger, making Yemen home to one of the world's worst food crises.
Malnutrition threatens millions of children as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, while the health system—weakened by over a decade of conflict—continues to collapse.
Over the past year alone, 450 health facilities, including 76 hospitals, have closed due to a lack of funding. Humanitarian organizations are now forced to scale back their programs and reserve assistance for the most critical cases.
"Every funding cut has a human face," Mr. Ratwatte emphasized, noting that "this means fewer children treated for malnutrition, fewer health centers capable of meeting essential needs, and fewer protection services for women and girls."
