UN warns of deepening hunger crisis in war-torn Yemen, urges renewed peace efforts
The United Nations has issued a warning on Wednesday that more than 17 million people in Yemen are facing hunger. It also reported that over a million children under the age of five suffering from life-threatening acute malnutrition and the food crisis in the conflict-ravaged country has worsened since late 2023 and this could deteriorate further in the coming months.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the Security Council that the number of people going hungry in Yemen could rise to over 18 million by September. The number of children with acute malnutrition may increase to 1.2 million by early next year,with risk of irreversible physical and cognitive damage.
Fletcher said, “This unfolding crisis is made worse by a sharp decline in global funding,” he noted. The UN’s $2.5 billion humanitarian appeal for Yemen in 2025 has received just $222 million so far, only 9% of the target.
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, briefing the Council via video, warned of renewed instability following Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s capital and major ports. The Houthis conflict has also given rise to the crisis.
While the Houthis have said they will continue targeting vessels in the Red Sea until the war in Gaza ends, Grundberg cautioned, “Yemen must not be drawn deeper into regional crises that threaten to unravel its already fragile situation.”
“The longer this conflict drags on, the deeper the divisions will become,” he warned, adding that both sides must demonstrate a commitment to peace, including through confidence-building measures such as the long-delayed release of all conflict-related detainees.
“The stakes for Yemen are simply too high,” Grundberg said. “Its future depends on our collective resolve to shield it from further suffering and restore hope and dignity to its people.”
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Two police officers die, one injured in accident on Jammu-Srinagar highway
Srinagar (PTI): Two police officers died in an accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway here, an official said on Monday.
Three sub-inspectors travelling from Srinagar to Jammu after performing Amarnath Yatra duty met with an accident at Tengan in Lasjan area of the city, the official said.
The injured police officers were rushed to a hospital where two of them were declared brought dead.
The deceased have been identified as Sachin Verma and Shubham, while the injured officer has been identified as Mastan Singh, he said.
