Yemen is bracing for a severe food crisis, potentially the worst since 2022, with over half of its population, approximately 18 million people, projected to experience heightened levels of hunger in early 2026, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned. The IRC's alert follows the release of new projections on Monday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) hunger-monitoring system, which indicated that an additional one million individuals are at risk of facing life-threatening hunger.

The impending crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing internal conflict in Yemen, which involves various external regional actors engaged in fighting in the southern regions of the country. This conflict disrupts supply chains and hinders humanitarian access, further endangering a population already vulnerable due to years of war and economic instability.

"Yemen is one of the world's most impoverished nations," the IRC stated in its press release, highlighting the country's pre-existing vulnerabilities. The organization emphasized that the combination of conflict, economic collapse, and reduced humanitarian aid is pushing the nation towards a catastrophic scenario.

The IPC assessment forecasts a significant deterioration in food security across several governorates, with a growing number of people expected to fall into emergency levels of hunger. This means that affected individuals will face acute malnutrition, increased mortality rates, and displacement.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, pitting the Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and the country's infrastructure severely damaged. The involvement of regional actors has further complicated the situation, turning Yemen into a proxy battleground.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the dire consequences of the conflict on Yemen's civilian population and has called for a ceasefire and a political solution to the crisis. International aid organizations are struggling to provide assistance to those in need, facing challenges related to access, funding shortages, and security concerns.

The IRC and other aid organizations are urging the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to Yemen and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Without immediate action, the looming food crisis could have devastating consequences for the Yemeni people, pushing the country further towards famine and instability. The situation remains precarious, and the coming months will be critical in determining the fate of millions of Yemenis facing starvation.