Yemen’s Crisis Deepens as Climate Disasters and War Destroy Livelihoods

Yemen faces a devastating crisis where conflict, climate disasters, and food shortages are pushing millions into extreme poverty and hunger. Urgent action is needed to expand social protection, improve agriculture, and strengthen disaster preparedness to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.

The World Bank, in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), has released a report exposing Yemen’s deepening crisis. The report throws light on how war, climate change, and food shortages are worsening living conditions for millions of people. The findings of the study show that half of Yemen’s population faces extreme weather events like floods, droughts, or extreme heat, while a quarter suffers from both food shortages and climate disasters at the same time. These challenges, combined with economic collapse and continued fighting, have left Yemenis with few options for survival.

A Country on the Brink of Collapse

Yemen has been at war for nearly a decade, causing immense damage to its economy, public services, and infrastructure. Families who once had stable lives are now struggling to afford food, education, and healthcare. Many have resorted to desperate measures, including child labor, early marriage, and selling off their belongings to survive. The country’s economy, once supported by oil production and agriculture, is in freefall. Since 2015, Yemen’s GDP per capita has dropped by 54%, primarily due to the decline of oil revenues and government services. As job opportunities disappear, more people have turned to farming to survive. However, farming is becoming increasingly difficult as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures devastate crops.

A particularly troubling trend is the rise in qat farming, a water-intensive cash crop that is replacing essential food crops. Qat provides short-term profits, but its expansion is worsening Yemen’s water crisis, reducing the availability of drinking water and irrigation for food production. This shift is pushing Yemen further into hunger and poverty.

The Growing Hunger Crisis

Yemen is one of the most food-insecure countries in the world, with over 17 million people—more than half the population—struggling to get enough to eat. The FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP) have named Yemen one of the world’s worst “hunger hotspots,” where famine is a real possibility. Unlike other hunger crises caused by food shortages, Yemen’s problem is mainly food affordability. There is food available in markets, but extreme inflation and currency depreciation have made it unaffordable for most people.

At the beginning of the war, food insecurity was worst in Houthi-controlled areas. However, since 2019, government-controlled areas have been hit hardest. The Yemeni Riyal has lost significant value, making food and other essentials too expensive for ordinary people. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid has been cut back, worsening food insecurity across the country. Unless urgent action is taken, millions more Yemenis could face starvation.

Climate Change is Making Things Worse

Yemen is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, ranking 27th globally in terms of risk. Climate hazards such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods are devastating communities, damaging agriculture, and displacing families.

In 2024, heavy rains and floods forced 500,000 people from their homes. The report shows that 6.7 million people live in drought-prone areas, 7.2 million suffer from deadly heatwaves, and 7.4 million face high flood risks. Many of these climate-affected areas are also the same regions struggling with food shortages, creating a double crisis for residents.

The research highlights that half of Yemen’s population is exposed to at least one extreme climate hazard and one in four faces both food shortages and climate disasters simultaneously. The worst-hit areas, including Marib, Hajjah, and Hodeidah, are also among the most war-affected. Conflict has destroyed critical infrastructure, making it even harder for communities to adapt to climate challenges. Roads, water systems, and farms have been damaged, limiting access to food, clean water, and medical care. Without urgent investment in rebuilding and climate resilience, the situation will only worsen.

Urgent Actions Needed to Save Lives

The report calls for immediate action to prevent a total humanitarian collapse in Yemen. Expanding social protection programs that provide cash assistance to struggling families is one of the top recommendations. Cash transfers can help families buy food and meet basic needs, especially in areas suffering from both climate shocks and food insecurity.

Another key solution is improving Yemen’s agricultural system. Investing in drought-resistant crops, restoring irrigation systems, and promoting sustainable water management can help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns. The report also suggests strengthening food storage, transport, and market systems to ensure food remains available and affordable.

Yemen also needs a better disaster response system. Strengthening early warning systems and emergency response plans can help communities prepare for future floods, droughts, and heat waves. Investments in infrastructure such as roads, water supplies, and electricity will also make communities more resilient to disasters.

Building Hope for Yemen’s Future

Despite the dire situation, there are signs that some interventions are working. In 2023, a pilot program in Socotra delivered cash transfers to families affected by a cyclone within two weeks. This quick response helped people recover and provided a model for future disaster relief efforts. The World Bank and UNICEF are now working on expanding Yemen’s cash transfer programs to reach more people facing food shortages and climate disasters. Digital payment systems, already tested in some districts, could speed up aid delivery and make it easier for people to access support.

Beyond cash transfers, other programs are helping communities build resilience. Work-for-pay projects have helped rebuild roads, repair irrigation systems, and restore water sources. Local communities have also started disaster preparedness programs to help reduce damage from future floods and droughts. Since Yemen’s central government is weak, working with local organizations has been one of the most effective ways to provide assistance.

Climate change, war, and hunger are pushing millions of people toward extreme poverty in Yemen. If urgent action is not taken, the crisis could spiral out of control. Investing in social protection, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness will be essential to helping Yemenis survive and rebuild. Without immediate international support, millions more could be pushed into starvation and suffering. Yemen needs help now before it is too late.