YEMEN FACES HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE AS 800,000 LOSE ACCESS TO FOOD AID AND HOSPITALS OVERFLOW WITH WAR CASUALTIES

Renewed fighting between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces has cut off 800,000 people from vital UN food assistance, while some frontline hospitals have admitted more than 700 war-wounded patients in a single week.

The escalation, which began in September, has devastated areas including Taiz, Marib and Yemen’s Red Sea coast, with more than 200,000 people displaced in recent weeks.

In Taiz, where more than 600,000 residents depend on humanitarian assistance, including over 200,000 children, wheat flour supplies are nearly exhausted. Blocked roads and ongoing clashes have prevented deliveries of essential food and medical supplies.

Hospitals are also running dangerously low on surgical equipment, anesthesia, oxygen and medicines. One hospital in Taiz reported having just 14 days of dialysis supplies remaining.

“This is the kind of situation that can rapidly spiral into a humanitarian catastrophe if assistance cannot move safely and reach those who need it most,” warned WFP country director El-Khidir Daloum.