Yemen Crisis Worsens: 19 Million Need Aid Amidst Houthi Policies, Report States

A new human rights report alleges that the economic and administrative policies implemented by Houthi militias in areas under their control have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, warning of escalating poverty and hunger due to measures perceived as systematically targeting the economy and citizens' livelihoods.

The Yemeni Women's Empowerment Foundation, in a report titled "Internal Siege: Houthi Militia Policies in Impoverishing and Subjugating Yemenis," stated that restrictions on economic activity and trade, along with other financial and administrative measures, have intensified the living pressures on millions of Yemenis.

The report highlighted that UN and international indicators show approximately 19.5 million people in Yemen require humanitarian assistance and protection, while 17.1 million face food insecurity, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 18.3 million by 2026. Additionally, around 2.2 million children under five suffer from severe malnutrition, alongside 1.3 million pregnant and lactating women, amidst a continuous decline in economic and living conditions.

The report attributes the worsening crisis to the Houthi militia, citing actions such as the prohibition of the new national currency, the cessation of salaries for hundreds of thousands of employees, the imposition of internal fees and levies, and restrictions on trade and fuel movement, including the closure of key roads. These measures have contributed to soaring prices of essential goods and a decline in household purchasing power.

On the humanitarian front, the report indicated that the Houthi militia has detained 163 UN and international staff and humanitarian workers. Furthermore, they have raided and confiscated 73 premises belonging to the UN and relief organizations, which, according to the report, has hindered aid operations at a time when humanitarian needs in the country are increasing.

Yemen has been experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises for over a decade, stemming from protracted conflict, political division, and economic deterioration. Millions of families rely on international aid to meet their basic needs.