Malnutrition: A Deepening Crisis in Yemen, Says NGO
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Synopsis
Malnutrition is intensifying the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, according to an NGO. With rising malnutrition levels and increasing disease outbreaks, the situation is dire as funding cuts force NGOs to reduce their operations.
Key Takeaways
- Malnutrition is a critical issue in Yemen.
- 2024 faced outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea and high malnutrition levels.
- 2025 may see more health crises.
- Many NGOs are reducing their efforts due to funding cuts.
- Tensions remain high due to U.S. airstrikes.
Aden, Yemen, April 20 (NationPress) - Malnutrition is worsening an already critical humanitarian crisis in the war-affected regions of Yemen, according to a report from a non-governmental organization (NGO).
"Malnutrition represents a crisis within a crisis. It has significantly intensified the situation and increased the vulnerability of the Yemeni population," stated Illaria Rasulo, head of the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) mission in Yemen, in a video shared on the social media platform X.
"The year 2024 proved to be extremely challenging, particularly with the outbreak of acute watery diarrhea across Yemen," as well as alarmingly high rates of malnutrition observed in MSF facilities, aside from measles outbreaks and isolated incidents of polio and diphtheria, Rasulo added.
"For 2025, we anticipate even more outbreaks," she warned, highlighting a "dramatic" humanitarian situation as many NGOs are compelled to reduce their operations or exit the country due to funding cuts from key donors, including a funding freeze from the United States.
On January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump enacted an executive order aimed at Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid, instituting a 90-day halt on the nation's foreign development assistance.
Tensions have escalated between the Houthi group and the Trump administration since the U.S. resumed airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15, following the group's announcement to recommence attacks on Israeli targets, citing Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza as justification.
In the deadliest operation since the renewed U.S. airstrikes, the U.S. military conducted a series of attacks on Thursday night, targeting and destroying the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port and concrete tanks holding imported fuel. According to reports from Houthi-run health authorities, at least 80 individuals have died and 150 others sustained injuries.
Earlier on Saturday, the U.S. military executed 29 new airstrikes on Houthi positions in northern Yemen, while Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Houthi Revolutionary Committee, pledged to retaliate.
The U.S. airstrikes have drawn condemnation from Iran and various human rights organizations.
