UN data shows that 22.3 million people need aid, relief and protection services across Yemen, where 5.2 million are internally displaced, along with migrants and refugees.
More than 18 million people suffer from “acute” food insecurity
In its humanitarian needs and response plan for 2026, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said 18.3 million people are acutely food insecure.
Equally worrying is the fact that more than 2.2 million children under five years of age are acutely malnourished, including more than half a million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
“Essential services remain under severe pressure,” OCHA reported.
The latest data indicates that almost 40 percent of health facilities are partially or non-functional and 14.4 million people require water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.
Somalia: Price increases deepen crisis and paralyze aid
A sharp rise in fuel and raw material prices stemming from the war in the Middle East is aggravating Somalia’s already serious humanitarian emergency and disrupting life-saving operations, the UN said on Wednesday.
Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters that “a recent rise in prices of fuel and essential goods is worsening an already serious humanitarian crisis and hampering humanitarian operations.”
Fuel prices have more than doubled in recent days, from $0.60 to $1.50 per liter, driven largely by attacks and counterattacks by the United States, Israel and Iran, which show no signs of easing tensions.
Delays and drought
The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, warns that higher costs are driving up food and water prices, while transportation costs for aid delivery have also doubled.
Somalia, which imports more than 90 percent of essential goods, is experiencing delays in shipments of nutritional supplies, medicines and health materials.
The crisis occurs in the midst of a serious drought that affects almost five million people. “At least 6.5 million Somalis face high levels of hunger,” Haq said, and 1.8 million children suffer from acute malnutrition.
Funding remains extremely low: only 11% of the $852 million appeal has been received.
Colombia: Violence and floods drive growing humanitarian needs
Humanitarian needs in Colombia are intensifying as armed violence, movement restrictions and climate crises converge, the UN warned Wednesday.
Farhan Haq said the situation “continues to deteriorate”, and OCHA warned that the risk of new emergencies is increasing.
There is up to a 70 percent chance of above-normal rainfall in April, raising fears of further flooding.
Recent flooding in Córdoba has already prompted a coordinated response, with “food, cash and hygiene supplies… distributed to people in the most affected areas,” Haq said.
The impact of violence triples
The humanitarian cost is increasing. Last year, disasters affected one million people, while violence affected more than 1.6 million, triple the previous year.
“This includes more than 150,000 people whose movements were restricted and almost 100,000 people who were displaced,” it said, the highest levels recorded since tracking began in 2008.
Humanitarian access is also under pressure, with more than 400 incidents hampering operations. The UN and its partners are seeking $287 million this year to help 1.2 million people most in need.