By Murad Abdo
ADEN, Yemen, Feb 9 (Xinhua) -- Yemen is heading toward another year of deep humanitarian distress, with the United Nations warning that more than 22 million people are expected to need assistance in 2026, an indicator of the cumulative impact of prolonged conflict, economic collapse, and political instability.
In a brief press statement released last week, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis described the situation as "extremely worrying," cautioning that conditions are likely to deteriorate further, particularly in northern areas controlled by the Houthis.
He noted that 19.5 million Yemenis required humanitarian aid last year, with the number projected to rise to over 22 million by 2026.
"Our lives largely depend on assistance. We have no savings and no income," said Ahmed Muthna, a father of five in a Houthi-controlled village in Dhalea province. "When aid is delayed or reduced, we have nothing to fall back on."
The UN has repeatedly warned that humanitarian operations in Yemen are facing a severe funding shortage, which has forced aid agencies to scale back food assistance, health services, and protection programs.
In government-controlled regions, the humanitarian crisis is closely intertwined with economic hardships and growing political tensions between various factions. Many families depend on irregular government salaries that have been eroded by inflation and currency depreciation. Even when payments are made, they are often insufficient to cover basic food items such as flour and rice.
"Our salaries are delayed for months, and there is no other work to rely on," said Hazim Ahmed, a civil servant in the southern port city of Aden. "By the time the money arrives, prices have risen, and it no longer covers basic food needs."
This financial fragility has made households extremely vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. A small increase in fuel costs or food prices can immediately push families into hunger, forcing them to reduce meals, take on debt, or pull children out of school.
Local humanitarian workers warn that the coping mechanisms are increasingly exhausted after years of compounded crises. "Yemeni families are surviving at the lowest possible level," said Hussein Kalady, a humanitarian worker in Aden. "Any further pressure will push them over the edge."
Living conditions in Aden and other government-held provinces have further intensified public frustration, as electricity outages, water shortages and the deterioration of basic public services continue to disrupt daily life.
In a wave of protests, largely centered in Aden, demonstrators expressed anger over worsening living standards and the government's inability to deliver relief.
Amid this deteriorating humanitarian and economic landscape, Yemen recently saw the announcement of a new Saudi-backed government headed by Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani. The cabinet was formed following a prolonged political process marked by sharp divisions, intense rivalries, and unresolved regional tensions.
Many Yemenis view the new government with cautious skepticism, given the legacy of institutional paralysis and declining public confidence.
Local analysts noted that reviving oil and gas production is critical to easing the economic crisis. Resuming operations at key fields in Hadramout and Marib, and restoring exports through southern ports, could provide much-needed state revenues. However, persistent security risks and past attacks on energy infrastructure continue to threaten these efforts.
Beyond domestic challenges, broader regional dynamics are also shaping the humanitarian reality on the ground. Ongoing conflict and shifting regional alignments have had direct consequences for ordinary Yemenis. In particular, recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over approaches to the southern Yemen issue have complicated coordination in those government-controlled areas.
"When regional powers involved in Yemen disagree, economic projects stop and salaries are delayed," said Samir Munaim, a local political activist in the southern province of Lahj. "The impact is immediate for ordinary Yemeni citizens."
On the sovereign level, the government continues to operate under severe constraints. The Houthi group maintains control of the capital Sanaa and key administrative and technical institutions, including communications infrastructure and airspace. This fragmented authority limits nationwide governance and the effective delivery of services.
Meanwhile, political tensions in the south have added another layer of uncertainty. Supporters of the Southern Transitional Council have threatened to obstruct the new government's return from Riyadh and prevent it from operating in Aden, following recent internal disputes and political reshuffling.
As Yemen stands at the intersection of humanitarian emergency and political transition, aid workers and citizens alike stress that time is running out. "We don't need more promises," said Umm Khaled, a displaced mother living in a camp in southern Lahj province. "We need food, medicine, and peace -- before it's too late."
Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year in support of the government. The prolonged war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
A UN-mediated truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group, brokered in April 2022, lasted six months before expiring. Both sides have largely maintained a "de facto ceasefire" since then. Enditem
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