Yemen’s fragile calm is rapidly eroding as political tensions, economic strain and deepening humanitarian needs push the country closer to renewed crisis, senior UN officials warned during a briefing to ambassadors.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said recent political and security developments, particularly in the south, highlighted how quickly relative stability can unravel in the absence of a credible and inclusive political process. He cautioned that unless Yemen’s challenges are addressed through a comprehensive and integrated approach, the country risks falling into repeated cycles of instability and conflict.
While recent days have seen some military de-escalation, Mr. Grundberg stressed that the security situation remains highly fragile. Rival force deployments in southern governorates have heightened tensions, with forces linked to the Southern Transitional Council seeking to expand their presence in Hadramout and Al Mahra in December, followed by the movement of government-aligned forces backed by Saudi Arabia in early January to reassert control over key infrastructure. He emphasized that the future of southern Yemen cannot be shaped by force or decided by a single actor, urging Yemeni leaders to engage in dialogue.
Mr. Grundberg welcomed President Rashad al-Alimi’s proposal to convene broad-based talks with southern leaders, describing it as a possible step toward reviving an inclusive, Yemen-wide political process under UN auspices.
Political instability is taking its heaviest toll on Yemen’s already fragile economy. Rising prices, unpaid salaries and deteriorating public services are eroding household resilience, Mr. Grundberg said, warning that even brief episodes of insecurity can trigger currency pressure, widen fiscal gaps and derail reform efforts. Weak institutions and irregular salary payments, particularly for public sector workers, are further compounding the crisis. He urged Yemeni authorities to protect key economic institutions, including the Central Bank, from political disputes, noting that a loss of confidence could further destabilize the country.
The humanitarian situation is also worsening rapidly. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Humanitarian Sector at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned that rising needs, funding shortfalls and restricted access are intensifying the crisis. More than 18 million Yemenis—nearly half the population—are expected to face acute food insecurity next month, with tens of thousands at risk of catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions.
Yemen’s health system is on the verge of collapse, Mr. Rajasingham said. More than 450 health facilities have already closed, and thousands more could lose funding. Vaccination programmes are under severe threat, and only about two-thirds of Yemeni children are fully immunised, largely due to access constraints in the north. As a result, millions of children are vulnerable to deadly but preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria, cholera and polio.
Humanitarian operations are further hampered by the continued detention of 73 UN staff by the Houthi de facto authorities. Mr. Rajasingham called for their immediate release, noting that the detentions have significantly restricted aid delivery in areas representing around 70 per cent of humanitarian needs nationwide. Despite these obstacles, aid agencies continue to operate where access permits. Late last year, UN partners reached 3.4 million people with food assistance and delivered emergency aid during floods and disease outbreaks, though these gains remain fragile.
“Humanitarian action saves lives,” Mr. Rajasingham said, warning that when access is blocked and funding declines, progress can quickly be reversed.
The briefing came as the UN Security Council voted earlier in the day to extend, for six months, the requirement for monthly reporting on attacks by the Houthi armed group against merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The resolution was adopted with 13 votes in favour, while Russia and China abstained. The reporting mandate was introduced in January 2024 amid a surge in attacks on international shipping linked to the Gaza conflict and requires regular updates on maritime security incidents and their humanitarian, economic and regional implications.
