Sana'a: The United Nations (UN) has warned that more than 18 million Yemenis could slide into severe hunger amid mounting challenges to humanitarian operations in the country, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yemen.

According to Oman News Agency, "Yemen enters 2026 at a critical turning point, with 22.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance," the office said in a statement posted on X. "Rising needs, substantial funding cuts and reduced humanitarian access are forcing partners to scale back life-saving support."

Without urgent action, lives will be lost, communities will be destabilised, and essential systems will edge closer to collapse, the statement added.

The continued funding crisis means that 19.3 million people will face escalating health risks, as nearly 40 percent of health facilities are either only partially functional or completely out of service, the UN said.

The 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.16 billion to deliver life-saving assistance to 12 million women, men and children across Yemen, the statement said.

The UN had previously warned of a sharp decline in funding for its operations in Yemen, which is suffering one of the world's worst humanitarian and economic crises after nearly 11 years of war.

Despite sporadic clashes, a fragile lull has largely held since April 2022. The conflict, which began on 21 September 2014, has devastated most sectors, including healthcare, triggering a catastrophic humanitarian crisis even as the UN continues to push for a peace process.