United Nations relief chief Tom Fletcher warned the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is rapidly accelerating, with over half of the population facing acute hunger and needing immediate international support. Briefing the 15-member Council, Fletcher stressed that without urgent intervention, "hunger will deepen. Suffering will grow. More lives will be lost."
Fletcher provided stark statistics detailing the escalating need, noting that "more than 18 million people – over half the population – are acutely hungry" in Yemen. He stated that the share of people unable to meet basic food needs jumped dramatically in just one month, moving from half to nearly 60 percent.
“Those facing the most extreme deprivation rose from one in four to nearly one in three,” the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator said.
He described a lethal combination driving the emergency: "conflict, economic collapse, rising prices and lost livelihoods – compounded by an overstretched health system."
Humanitarian access challenges and major funding cuts
At the same time, major funding cuts and shrinking humanitarian access are pushing Yemen closer to a catastrophic health and hunger crisis. An estimated 22.3 million people out of Yemen's population of 35 million are expected to require humanitarian assistance by 2026.
Fletcher highlighted significant operational difficulties, particularly regarding access in areas controlled by the Houthi armed group. While acknowledging that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are providing vital services, he stressed that "less access, less presence and less funding mean less food, less medicine and fewer lives reached."
While data is lacking on certain fronts, he noted that “Houthi-controlled areas, we lack access – and therefore visibility". He urged Council members to recognize that this "does not mean a lack of need."
Following repeated arbitrary detentions, the UN has had to assess its direct operations in these areas. To date, at least 73 UN staff along with dozens of individuals from, civil society, NGOs, and diplomatic missions remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthi.
“But humanitarian action continues – and must continue”, Fletcher said.
“NGOs are carrying much of this effort. They are showing extraordinary courage and commitment. I applaud their dedication and encourage you to fund them first.”
During his briefing, the UN official also praised local organizations for their dedication, adding that "Local partners are stepping up, but they cannot do more without sustained funding."
Meanwhile, drastic funding cuts are making the situation much worse.
“And just as needs rise, support is shrinking. Every funding cut has a human cost: a missed meal, untreated condition, a community cut off from help,” he said.
Fletcher warned that if nothing changes, hunger will deepen, suffering will grow, and more lives will be lost.
“The hunger crisis is not just empty plates. It has stolen lives and futures,” he said.
“More than 2.2 million children under five are acutely malnourished. Without sustained support, many will carry lifelong consequences.”
Three key demands
The UN relief chief presented three critical demands to the Security Council aimed at stabilizing the situation.
First, Fletcher demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained international staff, noting their continued detention "directly undermines our ability to save lives."
Second, he urgently called for increased financial support, revealing that the current humanitarian appeal is less than 15 percent funded. This shortfall, he warned, is "forcing us to scale back operations and leave people behind."
Third, Fletcher underscored that while aid can sustain life, it cannot solve the underlying conflict.
“Humanitarian action can hold the line – but only just. It cannot end this crisis. Aid can keep people alive. But it cannot alone give Yemenis the future they deserve,” he concluded.
“Only a political solution – owned by the people of Yemen and supported by this Council – can do that.”
Further information
Full text: UN Relief Chief tells Security Council, Yemen must not be forgotten as hunger deepens. Briefing to the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, delivered June 16, 2026
https://www.unocha.org/news/un-relief-chief-tells-security-council-yemen-must-not-be-forgotten-hunger-deepens