Introduction
As Yemen enters its 11th year 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 targeted 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 their basic requirements. Yemen faces rising humanitarian needs amid worsening food security with risks of famine, and alarming malnutrition rates.
Access constraints, safety of humanitarian staff and serious security incidents as well as severe funding cuts are substantially impeding 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. The overall public health situation is dire with a healthcare system stretched to its limits, along with extreme health needs.
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 in some parts of the country.
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 has allocated €120 million in humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in frontline governorates, hard-to-reach areas and displacement sites across Yemen.
This includes the latest €40 million top up in September to confront Yemen's rapidly worsening crisis and help preventing famine-like conditions.
As an additional layer of assistance, a dedicated EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operation also delivered over 432 tonnes of medicines and life-saving supplies to support the cholera response in the country as well as other disease outbreaks.
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.
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)
500,000 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. (HNRP, 2025)
15.2 million people need access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. (HNRP, 2025)
EU Humanitarian funding:
€120 million in 2025
€125 million in 2024
€145.12 million in 2023
€1 billion since 2015
Last updated: 29/09/2025