Yemen — humanitarian situation

Yemen's humanitarian crisis persists through its eleventh year, driven by protracted conflict, climate shocks, and economic collapse. Protection risks across fourteen governorates—including Aden, Lahj, Marib, Taiz, Hajjah, Hudaydah, and Sana'a—remain acute and overlapping, compounded by recent regional developments that have introduced additional protection concerns (Protection Cluster, UNHCR). Between 1 January and 20 June 2026, displacement tracking identified 1,183 households, or 7,098 individuals, newly displaced at least once, with 14-20 June alone accounting for additional movements (IOM). Explosive remnants of war continue to exact a devastating toll: on 23 June, five children aged 7-13 were killed and seven injured by unexploded ordnance in southern Yemen while collecting scrap metal for income, marking the deadliest incident for children this year (Save the Children). Evictions and threats of eviction represent one of the most acute and recurring protection crises facing displaced households, prompting the Protection Cluster to develop guidance on assistance to landlords to prevent family displacement and the collapse of coping mechanisms (Protection Cluster, UNICEF, UNHCR). Multipurpose cash assistance sustains millions of households, with recent research indicating that while three-month transfers achieve equivalent food security outcomes to six-month programs, the additional transfers reduce harmful coping strategies by roughly one-third to one-half of their incremental cost (DRC). OCHA has updated the Minimum Expenditure Basket and Multipurpose Cash Assistance transfer values effective July 2026, reflecting ongoing economic pressures (OCHA). Agrometeorological conditions in May 2026 showed mixed rainfall patterns—wetter trends in Northern and Central Highlands, particularly Ibb, but localized deficits in southern and eastern areas—with monthly totals generally below the five-year average and temperatures hotter than the long-term mean (FAO). Operational constraints compound response challenges. National NGOs operate closest to risk yet are not always equally involved in shaping risk management decisions despite being first to encounter disruptions and carry consequences (ODI-HPN). Attacks on health care recorded globally in 2025 included Yemen among 33 countries experiencing relentless violence against health facilities and workers (Insecurity Insight). Child rights violations verified across 23 conflicts in 2025 totaled 24,174, an eight percent increase year-on-year, with government forces listed as main perpetrators for the first time (UN).