Yemen faces severe food and education crises amid ongoing conflict

Yemen is facing a severe humanitarian crisis driven by over a decade of conflict, economic instability, and drought. Approximately half of the population is experiencing food insecurity, with five million people facing crisis levels and 1.4 million facing emergency levels of hunger. These figures are projected to rise through 2026.

Recent reductions in global aid have exacerbated the situation, leading to the closure of more than 2,800 nutrition and treatment programs over the past year. This has increased the risk of malnutrition among children, a problem compounded by a lack of access to safe water, which is essential for nutrition and preventing waterborne diseases.

The crisis has also devastated the education sector. According to a Save the Children survey in southern Yemen, nearly two-thirds of children are out of school. The assessment found that 32% of children have never attended school, while 25% have dropped out. Economic hardship is a primary driver, with many families forced to rely on child labor to survive. The survey indicated that 84% of families cannot afford basic educational costs like books and uniforms, and 92% are uncertain of their next meal.