United Nations launches the humanitarian response plan in Yemen
The United Nations and humanitarian partners in Yemen today issued the Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview 2024, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan to reach millions of people with life-saving assistance and protection services.
The document,, said that, given the severe humanitarian needs, 219 partners working in the humanitarian field are appealing for urgent support to more than 18.2 million people, men, women, boys and girls in Yemen.
Peter Hawkins, UN Resident and Acting Humanitarian Coordinator, said: “The Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan give a voice to civilians in Yemen, who have been facing enormous suffering daily for more than nine years due to conflict, economic decline, severely deteriorated infrastructure and public services, as well as About climate change.
He added: “It demonstrates our collective and coordinated efforts to save lives, reduce risks, and support resilience.”
According to the statement, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.7 billion to achieve an enhanced, targeted, prioritized, risk-aware, and comprehensive approach to humanitarian programs in Yemen.
The plan is based on extensive consultations across the country with affected people, authorities, institutions, humanitarian actors and development partners at the local and national levels. They also reflect how the humanitarian community will adapt its response in the face of limited funding and access restrictions.
“Yemen is facing a critical juncture and has a unique opportunity to take a decisive step away from the humanitarian crisis by addressing the drivers of the crisis,” Hawkins added. While regional conflict dynamics have brought additional risks, the humanitarian community remains committed to survival and service delivery.”
The plan also emphasizes cooperation with development partners to support livelihoods, basic services and economic conditions to develop long-term solutions, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Yemen 2022-2025.
Hawkins also urged donors, saying, "We must not turn our backs on the Yemeni people. I appeal to donors for their continued and urgent support to save lives, build resilience, and also fund sustainable interventions."
He said that after more than nine years of conflict, 18.2 million people in Yemen still need support and it is estimated that 17.6 million people will face acute food insecurity in 2024.
In 2023, according to the statement, the child mortality rate improved slightly after years of continuous humanitarian assistance. However, Yemen suffers from some of the highest rates of malnutrition ever recorded, with nearly 2.2 million children under the age of five suffering from moderate to severe stunting, and the situation continues to deteriorate. An estimated 6.7 million people also live in inadequate camps.
However, the statement says limited access to vital services continues to worsen conditions for the most vulnerable groups, including women and children. 12.4 million people also lack adequate access to safe drinking water, which increases the risk of infectious diseases.
While more than 4.5 million school-age children from 5 to 17 years do not go to school. There are an estimated 4.5 million displaced people currently in Yemen, a third of whom have been displaced more than once, which has weakened their ability to adapt.