Image depicting Fighting Famine in Yemen
Photo: WFP/ Hebatallah Munassar/2022

Fighting Famine in Yemen

Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The scale of loss is unconscionable.

Looming Starvation

More than 17 million Yemenis – over half the population – don’t know if or when they’ll eat another meal. With multiple threats closing in from all sides, untold numbers of innocent people could starve as COVID-19 pushes them over the edge.

We’re fighting hard to feed over 10 million of the most vulnerable people, but we desperately need more funds to do so.

The Evolution of Hunger

October 2022

The prolonged conflict, an economic crisis, dwindling funds for humanitarian response and a relentless rise in global food and fuel prices over the past two years have pushed Yemen into a seismic hunger crisis. That crisis has been exacerbated first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by the war in Ukraine

July 2020

A new analysis shows that an additional 1 million people in southern Yemen will face severe hunger by the end of the year. WFP is fending off full-blown famine. Imports have declined, food prices are soaring, the Riyal is in free fall, foreign currency reserves are nearing total depletion and fighting has escalated. Meanwhile, Coronavirus is sweeping unchecked across the country. WFP has already been forced to reduce its aid, and it may have no choice but to cut back farther.

Source: Full Press Release Photo: WFP/Mohammed Awadh

June 2019

On June 3rd, WFP makes a breakthrough in rebel-held Nihm district for the first time since conflict began. By partnering with Islamic Relief, over 5,000 people receive a 2-month ration of life-saving aid. On June 20th, WFP is forced to suspend food distribution in Sana’a after negotiations stall on an agreement to prevent food diversion. Nutrition programs for malnourished children, pregnant and nursing mothers continue.

Photo: WFP/Fares Khoailed

September 2018

Renewed fighting erupts in the vital port of Hodeidah, threatening food deliveries and pushing millions to the brink of famine.

Photo: WFP/Fares Khoailed

November 2017

A military coalition of countries involved in the conflict starts a blockade of all of Yemen’s ports, further restricting vital supplies and food.

March 2015

The civil war begins in Yemen, pitting the government against Houthi rebels.

Photo: WFP/Ahmed Basha
Help Feed People in Yemen

Your gift will help deliver lifesaving food in conflict zones like Yemen.

Help us realize a future beyond emergency assistance where our help is no longer needed.

Help us build people’s knowledge, skills and resilience. Help us create economic opportunities for Yemeni families so they can get the food they need to reach their full potential.

The U.N. World Food Programme is a lifeline for over 40% of Yemen’s people each month. People like Domoaa, Amani and Maika.

Square photograph of Domoaa Detailed photograph of Domoaa
Photo: WFP/Hayat Al Sharif

Domoaa

Domoaa means 'tears' in Arabic. "I cry every day for the pain and suffering we go through just to get food," her mother says.

Read Domoaa's story +
Detailed photograph of Amani
Photo: WFP/Mohammed Awadh

Amani

Two-year-old Amani was carried to a WFP feeding center by her 10-year-old brother. More than 2 million Yemeni children require treatment for acute malnutrition.

Read Amani's story +
Detailed photograph of Maika
Photo: WFP

Maika

Maika Alaslemy is the head nurse at a health center in Yemen and works around the clock to save children from starvation. “Hunger doesn’t differentiate between children,” she says. “We work out of our obligation to save lives and preserve the future of Yemen.”

Read Maika's story +

Saving Lives

The U.N. World Food Programme uses smart, innovative solutions to reach and feed Yemeni families in need. These innovations include ships, mobile cranes, e-cards and mVAM.

Photo: WFP/Fares Khoailed
Ships

WFP is the only U.N. agency with its own shipping unit, delivering food assistance through the Red Sea and into strategic Yemeni ports. Dedicated staff negotiate shipping lines and navigate tricky routes to keep cargo safe. A single ship can carry 25,000 tons of wheat, enough to feed 2 million people for a month.

Photo: WFP/Fares Khoailed
Mobile cranes

Mobile cranes boost the capacity of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, which handles 70 percent of the country’s imports. This lifeline for families includes critically-needed food and humanitarian supplies. The cranes significantly increase the speed of unloading humanitarian cargo and other relief items.

Vouchers & eCards

When local markets are functioning and food is available, but unaffordable, food vouchers give Yemenis the power to purchase food on their own terms. They can be used at WFP food shops to buy fresh produce, fish and meat. E-cards work like debit cards, helping to stimulate the local economy and support local producers.

Photo: WFP/Jean-Martin Bauer
mVAM

In countries around the world and in Yemen, the mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) unit equips families with mobile phones so they can share information with WFP about their needs. Families call a hotline and WFP uses the information it collects to better plan assistance and track changes in food prices.

Stories from Yemen

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Photo: WFP/Michael Tewelde Global Food Crisis: 10 Countries Suffering the Most From Hunger

These are the 10 worst hunger crises in the world today based on where the U.N. World Food Programme works and has collected recent data. The crises are ranked by the total number of people facing severe hunger in each country.

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Photo: WFP/Alaa Noman/2021 From the United States to Yemen: 1 Millionth Ton of American Wheat Brings Relief and Hope

The 1 millionth ton of wheat purchased by the U.S. government for global hunger relief efforts left Vancouver, Washington on November 26. The shipment is destined for WFP’s operations in Yemen.

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Photo: WFP/Mohammed Awadh/2022 In Our Hands, $15 Becomes 60 School Meals for Young Girls Like Ferdous in Yemen

For only $15 dollars, the U.N. World Food Programme could send a child like Ferdous enough school meals for three months.  

Read more +
Help Us Save Lives

People in Yemen are suffering from years of civil war. You can help save lives by donating to send food to countries like Yemen experiencing conflict.