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Country analysis

Yemen


The conflict between the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen (IRG) and the Sana’a-based de-facto authority (DFA) in the north of Yemen (also known as the Houthis) since 2015 has resulted in a severe humanitarian and economic crisis. It has led to 18.6 million out of the 32 million people in Yemen needing humanitarian assistance and internally displaced 4.5 million.

On 2 April 2022, the conflict parties agreed to an UN-mediated truce, which expired in the same year on 2 October. Despite the non-extension of the truce, relatively large-scale conflict has not resumed, slightly improving the humanitarian conditions in the country.

Yemen has historically been divided socially and politically along tribal, ethnic, ideological, and religious lines. The current conflict has furthered this fragmentation, and two main areas of political and economic control have emerged. The DFA controls most of the northern and central governorates, while the IRG and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council control southern Yemen.

Yemen is also a transit and destination country on the East African migration route to Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring countries, with around 308,000 migrants with irregular status and 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered in 2023. Most of them require humanitarian and protection assistance.

(OCHA 01/02/2024, MDP accessed 19/02/2024, CFR accessed 19/02/2024, UN 01/04/2022)

The conflict between the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen (IRG) and the Sana’a-based de-facto authority (DFA) in the north of Yemen (also known as the Houthis) since 2015 has resulted in a severe humanitarian and economic crisis. It has led to 18.6 million out of the 32 million people in Yemen needing humanitarian assistance and internally displaced 4.5 million.

On 2 April 2022, the conflict parties agreed to an UN-mediated truce, which expired in the same year on 2 October. Despite the non-extension of the truce, relatively large-scale conflict has not resumed, slightly improving the humanitarian conditions in the country.

Yemen has historically been divided socially and politically along tribal, ethnic, ideological, and religious lines. The current conflict has furthered this fragmentation, and two main areas of political and economic control have emerged. The DFA controls most of the northern and central governorates, while the IRG and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council control southern Yemen.

Yemen is also a transit and destination country on the East African migration route to Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring countries, with around 308,000 migrants with irregular status and 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered in 2023. Most of them require humanitarian and protection assistance.

(OCHA 01/02/2024, MDP accessed 19/02/2024, CFR accessed 19/02/2024, UN 01/04/2022)

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Latest updates on country situation

05 November 2024

Prolonged conflict, political instability, and economic disruptions have led the Yemeni rial to depreciate sharply. In November 2024, in areas under the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen, the exchange rate hit a record low of less than YER 2,100 per USD 1. This depreciation has led to soaring prices for essential goods, such as rice, wheat, and fuel. This is severely straining Yemeni households’ ability to afford basic food items as inflation continues to erode purchasing power. (Yemen Future 05/11/2024, FAO 31/10/2024, Xinhua 16/10/2024)

27 September 2024

On 26 September 2024, Houthi forces targeted Yemeni civilians celebrating the 1962 Revolution, affecting over 428 people across ten governorates. Violations included 235 cases of arbitrary detention and disappearances, 97 physical assaults, 52 home raids, and 44 verbal assaults. Ibb recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Al Hodeidah, Dhamar, and Sana’a. (Rights Radar 27/09/2024, Al Masdar 26/09/2024)

03 September 2024

On 30 August 2024, heavy rains caused a dam to overflow in Bani Musa, leading to floods that have swept away buildings and residents in Al Jarf village, Wusab As Safil, Dahmar governorate. This event has resulted in 27 deaths, eight injuries, and three people missing, along with the destruction of 28 homes, four cars, and shops, as well as the loss of agricultural crops. Throughout August, heavy rains and widespread flooding affected 424,123 people across Yemen. (YF 02/09/2024, IFRC 02/09/2024)

19 August 2024

By the end of 2024, approximately 609,800 children in areas under the control of the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen will be acutely malnourished, with close to 118,600 severely affected – a 34% increase from 2023. Acute malnutrition is particularly critical in Al Hodeidah and Ta’iz, with two districts in Al Hodeidah and one in Ta’iz currently facing Extremely Critical (IPC AMN Phase 5) conditions. Major contributing factors include inadequate diet diversity, poor breastfeeding practices, high disease prevalence, and limited access to food, WASH, and health services. (IPC 19/08/2024, UNICEF 18/08/2024)

12 August 2024

Yemen is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, severely aggravated by heavy rains and floods since March 2024 and even more destructive rainfall from late June to early August. The floods have affected several governorates, including Al Hodeidah, Al Mahwit, Hajjah, Sa’dah, and Ta’iz, severely affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and health facilities and killing 57 people, injuring 16, and displacing over 3,600. Al Hodeidah alone has seen significant damage in 20 districts, affecting 36,126 people (5,392 families) and leading to the loss and destruction of 440 legal documents, 200 livestock, 21 water schemes, eight roads, two local markets, and some school facilities. In Abs district, Hajjah, 2,800 people (418 families) have been affected. Bani Sa'd district, Al Mahwit, has also suffered severe infrastructure damage, isolating many communities. In Maqbanah, Ta’iz governorate, floods on 3 August affected nine subdistricts and 19 villages, directly affecting 1,184 people (191 families). (UNFPA 08/08/2024, UNHCR 12/08/2024, OCHA 11/08/2024)

04 August 2024

On 23 July 2024, floods from torrential rains washed away hundreds of homes in Sa’dah governorate, affecting 2,000 families and damaging over 1,000 shelters in IDP sites. Three people including a child died. Floodwaters reached depths of 30–40 cm, worsening the suffering of IDPs and affecting access to clean water and sanitation. Since early 2024, rising violence and severe weather have displaced over 75,000 people in Yemen, leading to increased hunger and malnutrition. (UNFPA 02/08/2024, OCHA 28/07/2024, UNICEF 22/07/2024)

23 July 2024

Mwatana for Human Rights reported that Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah and Saleef ports, and power stations in Hodeidah, Yemen, killed nine workers, injured over eighty, and displaced numerous families. The strikes targeted vital civilian infrastructure crucial for delivering over 80% of Yemen’s humanitarian aid, threatening the survival of millions.

current crises
in Yemen


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

YEM001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 29/10/2024


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.7 Very High

Access constraints

4.0

YEM002 - Mixed Migration

Last updated 29/10/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.2 High

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Yemen

Yemen: Bimonthly update on food and nutrition security risks - issue 5

30 September 2024

Yemen: Bimonthly update on food and nutrition security risks - issue 5

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

This report aims to complement IPC analyses and facilitate early recognition and coordinated responses to emerging major food and nutrition security crises among humanitarian and development stakeholders.

Food security & livelihoodsNutrition
Yemen: Shedding light on technology-facilitated gender-based violence

09 September 2024

Yemen: Shedding light on technology-facilitated gender-based violence

DOCUMENT / PDF / 259 KB

This briefing note explores TFGBV in Yemen, seeking to identify how TFGBV is perpetrated, analyse its impact on survivors, and explore how women and girls navigate these challenges within a society characterised by traditional gender roles and a strong emphasis on ‘honour’. This report also identifies information gaps that require further investigation for a better understanding of TFGBV in Yemen. 
 

AudioGender
Yemen: Impact of 2024 heavy rains

29 August 2024

Yemen: Impact of 2024 heavy rains

DOCUMENT / PDF / 896 KB

Yemen is currently in the midst of the Kharif season, the second of its twice-yearly rainy periods.The impact of this rainy season, which began in July, has killed at least 45 people and affected over 37,700 others. 

Natural hazards
Yemen: Bimonthly update on food and nutrition security crisis risks - issue 4

05 August 2024

Yemen: Bimonthly update on food and nutrition security crisis risks - issue 4

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

The report aims to complement IPC analyses and facilitate early recognition and coordinated responses to emerging major food and nutrition security crises among humanitarian and development stakeholders. 

Food security & livelihoodsNutrition
Yemen: escalating tensions between Israel and the DFA

31 July 2024

Yemen: escalating tensions between Israel and the DFA

DOCUMENT / PDF / 206 KB

This analysis examines and provides an overview of the key events preceding Israeli airstrikes on Al Hodeidah, Yemen, in July 2024, including the DFA drone attack on Tel Aviv and subsequent international responses. This report highlights the pre-existing needs in Al Hodeidah, the immediate effects of the airstrikes, and the broader humanitarian implications across Yemen.

Anticipatory analysisConflict and violence
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