International Rescue: The humanitarian situation in Yemen is on the brink of collapse.

The International Rescue Committee ( IRC ) has warned of a humanitarian collapse in Yemen, asserting that the situation is on the brink of collapse due to the increasing humanitarian needs and the severe shortage of funding required to address them.

In a press release marking ten years since the conflict and crisis in Yemen began, the committee warned that the growing gap between mounting humanitarian needs and the funding required to alleviate them could leave millions of Yemenis without access to food, healthcare, and protection services.

She explained that humanitarian needs in Yemen will continue to rise during the current year, with an estimated 19.5 million people requiring humanitarian assistance and protection—an increase of nearly 7% compared to 2024. Additionally, 83% of the population across the country lives in poverty.

The committee noted the growing needs of the displaced and the country's high malnutrition rates, which are among the highest in the world. It noted that these figures reflect the worsening crisis, which has worsened year after year, leaving families with fewer resources and services and without safe alternatives.

She noted that despite these growing needs, the humanitarian response remains severely underfunded. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan ( HNRP ) seeks to raise US$2.47 billion to cover the needs of 10.5 million people, but as of March 2025, it is only 5% funded.

She warned that expected cuts in US contributions, which accounted for more than half of total humanitarian funding for Yemen in 2024, threaten to widen this gap further, putting millions at risk of hunger, disease, and further displacement.

"For ten years, Yemenis have endured relentless conflict, economic collapse, and limited access to life-saving health and nutrition services," said Caroline Sikiwa, IRC Yemen Country Director, in the statement. "Humanitarian aid has been their lifeline, preventing disease outbreaks, providing healthcare, responding to natural disasters, and helping families survive."

She added: "Donor governments' consideration of reducing or eliminating this support is not just short-sighted, but puts millions of lives at risk."

She continued: "Yemen now stands on the brink of collapse, and without urgent support, we risk losing years of hard-won gains."

Sikiwa emphasized that, ultimately, humanitarian aid alone cannot end the suffering of millions of Yemenis. After a decade of crisis, political solutions and economic recovery are more important than ever to ensure long-term stability. However, the reality is that humanitarian aid today is the difference between life and death for millions of people.

She called on all donors to intensify their efforts and ensure that this year's humanitarian response plan is fully funded.