Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has issued a stark warning about an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, as food insecurity spirals and the threat of famine resurfaces amid collapsing international funding.

In an official briefing to the Security Council, Fletcher revealed that over 17 million Yemenis are currently suffering from hunger, with projections indicating the number could exceed 18 million by September 2025, marking one of the worst hunger waves in recent years. He warned that areas such as Hajjah, Hodeidah, and Amran are once again sliding into famine-like conditions.

The crisis, he noted, extends beyond food to include a crumbling health system and deteriorating protection services, with 6.2 million women and girls at risk of gender-based violence, all under critical funding gaps.

Despite humanitarian workers "doing everything possible" with limited resources, Fletcher emphasized that funding shortfalls are undermining response capacity.

However, a glimmer of hope emerged with a local agreement in Taiz that enabled the restoration of water networks, providing vital access to tens of thousands of families after years of interruption.

Fletcher concluded with three urgent appeals to the international community:

1. Immediate increase in humanitarian funding for food and nutrition support.

2. Unconditional release of detained UN, NGO, and civil society staff.

3. Enhanced respect for international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure unrestricted aid access.