18M Yemenis Face Worsening Hunger Crisis in 2026

Is Yemen's crisis caused by Houthi terrorism and Iranian interference, or by catastrophic Western funding cuts?

Published 11 hours ago

18M Yemenis Face Worsening Hunger Crisis in 2026

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Above: A mother cares for her child suffering from acute malnutrition in Sana'a, on Dec. 14, 2024. Image credit: Mohammed Hamoud/Contributor/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Yemen's humanitarian catastrophe has been exacerbated by Houthi terrorism and Iranian interference, which have sabotaged peace efforts and weakened state institutions. The Houthis are the primary enemy, undermining governance and deepening the crisis through reported arbitrary detention of U.N. personnel and alleged blocking of aid delivery to millions. Any peace process that does not address the Houthi coup and efforts to disarm these militias risks prolonging suffering and regional instability.

AsiaOne International Business Times

Establishment-critical narrative

Catastrophic funding cuts by Western donors have reversed a decade of humanitarian progress and pushed 18 million Yemenis toward starvation. International neglect and slashed aid budgets have forced the closure of nutrition programs and health facilities, leaving families to collect wild plants just to survive. The crisis isn't inevitable — immediate donor action and restored funding can prevent widespread famine before mortality rates spike.

Al Jazeera rescue.org

Metaculus Prediction

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.