Introduction
As Yemen enters its first decade of war, it remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Despite the de facto continuation of the UN-brokered truce, several factors are significantly worsening the already dire humanitarian situation: the regional spillover of the war in Gaza, the military escalation in the Red Sea, the unprecedented reduction of funding and the resumption of airstrikes.
The shipment of life-saving assistance has been disrupted, and the cost of food and fuel has increased due to growing inflation, undermining Yemenis' ability to meet basic needs. Yemen faces rising humanitarian needs amid worsening food security and alarming malnutrition rates. Resurging emergencies, attacks on humanitarian staff, and severe funding cuts are substantially affecting the response capacities.
What are the needs?
In 2025, 19.5 million people in Yemen – more than half of the population – need humanitarian assistance and protection services. Countrywide, 17.1 million people suffer from acute food insecurity. Yemen now records some of the highest malnutrition rates in its history, with nearly half of all children under the age of 5 experiencing moderate to severe stunting.
The health system is near collapse and extreme health needs persist. Limited water availability and low vaccination rates lead to recurrent epidemic outbreaks of preventable diseases, including cholera, measles and polio. Yemen is also the world’s third most vulnerable country to climate change and least prepared for climate shocks. Extreme climate events are expected to affect the most vulnerable in years to come.
Yemen is among the most mine-affected countries in the world, posing a daily threat to civilians. Specific population groups face additional protection concerns. This includes socially excluded groups, people with disabilities and internally displaced people (IDPs).
Over 4.8 million people are displaced, including many living in protracted displacement since the beginning of the conflict. IDPs need shelter solutions and basic household items. The protection of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers also remains of great concern. They continue to travel along the eastern migration route, facing various threats. There are reported cases of mass killings, gender based violences, arbitrary detention and trafficking.
The humanitarian operating environment continues to deteriorate across the country. Access constraints, bureaucratic impediments and security threats continuously challenge humanitarian actors. The targeted restrictions on female aid workers’ movements also dramatically hamper the delivery of aid.
How are we helping?
Since the beginning of the war in 2015, the EU has contributed almost €1.6 billion to respond to the crisis in Yemen. This includes over €1 billion in humanitarian aid and around €500 million in development assistance. The European Commission is the largest donor to the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan, and European Member States are also large contributors.
In 2025, the EU is allocating €80 million in humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in frontline governorates, hard-to-reach areas and displacement sites across Yemen.
The EU values cooperation with principled actors on the ground. The assistance provided includes protection, food security, integrated health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and settlement, education in emergencies, disaster preparedness and rapid emergency response. Conflict-affected people who have suffered bodily harm and psychological shock – including from mines and unexploded ordnances – are assisted with comprehensive rehabilitation services. Humanitarian partners also provide mine clearance and risk education.
A significant portion of the EU’s humanitarian assistance is supported through cash transfers to aid recipients, widely recognised as the most efficient, effective and dignified modality of humanitarian assistance.
Finally, effective coordination and efficient logistical service are critical to support the delivery of quality humanitarian aid. The EU support to the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) allows humanitarian aid workers to access populations in need.
Last updated: 21/05/2025
Facts & figures
19.5 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection services. (HNRP, 2025)
17.1 million people face crisis levels of food insecurity. (HNRP, 2025)
0.5 million children face severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and 1.8 million suffer from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), alongside 1.3 million malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women. (HNRP 2025)
19.7 million people require health assistance. (HNRO, 2025)
15.2 million people need access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. (HNRP, 2025)
EU Humanitarian funding:
€80 million in 2025
€125 million in 2024
€145.12 million in 2023
€1 billion since 2015