Yemen faces record hunger as fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces intensifies

The World Food Programme reported that hunger in Yemen is accelerating, with a record number of residents unable to obtain sufficient food amid renewed hostilities. The conflict, the most serious since a 2022 UN-brokered truce, pits Saudi Arabia against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and has already forced tens of thousands to flee. In government-held areas, which house roughly 10 million people, three out of four families are now missing meals, according to Matthew Hollingworth, the programme’s Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations.

He cautioned that the security deterioration could have devastating effects on food security. The fighting also risks disrupting key maritime corridors in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The WFP’s warning was delivered from Geneva via a video link in Rome.