Aden (South24 Center)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said Friday (June 12) that Yemen continues to face one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with approximately 22 million people, out of a total population of 35 million, in need of humanitarian assistance. The country also records the highest maternal mortality rate in the Arab region.

UNFPA Representative in Yemen Francesco Galtieri said in an interview with UN News that the most urgent needs are food and healthcare. He noted that malnutrition is steadily worsening, particularly among pregnant women, with direct consequences for the health of both mothers and unborn children.

He added that approximately 65,000 pregnant women currently require healthcare services related to pregnancy and childbirth, and that three women die every day due to pregnancy or delivery complications. Around 67 percent of these deaths could be prevented if adequate medical care were available.

Galtieri also noted that women and girls in Yemen face growing risks of gender-based violence. He stressed that UNFPA is working alongside local women’s organizations and the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide protection services, psychosocial support, and legal assistance, in addition to supporting shelters, safe spaces, and economic empowerment programs.

In this context, the UN official highlighted the success story of a woman who survived gender-based violence, benefited from UNFPA-supported economic inclusion programs, and later established an all-female security services company that provides protection for women in residential areas, markets, and workplaces.

Galtieri warned that humanitarian efforts in Yemen face a growing threat due to declining international funding. He noted that UNFPA lost approximately 40 percent of its humanitarian funding over the past year, forcing it to suspend support for roughly one-third of the services it previously provided.

He said the consequences of this funding shortfall go beyond statistics, effectively denying women access to healthcare and protection services and, in some cases, costing lives. He added that this year, UNFPA has been unable to admit new cases to some safe shelters or provide legal support to a number of women and girls in need.

The UNFPA representative described the situation in Yemen as a “forgotten crisis,” calling on the international community to increase support for reproductive health and the protection of women and girls. He emphasized that investment in maternal health and midwifery must be prioritized, given the ongoing consequences of a war and humanitarian crisis now entering their second decade.