UNFPA Yemen Situation Report #1 - March 2025

March 2025 marked a decade since the conflict escalated in Yemen, which has decimated the country’s economy, healthcare system, and infrastructure. The ongoing regional tensions, attacks in the Red Sea and airstrikes on northern parts of the country pose grave risks to the already dire humanitarian situation – with an estimated 19.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection services.

Some 40 per cent of Yemen's health facilities are partially functioning or completely out of service due to shortages in staff, electricity, medicines and equipment, and funding. Only one in five functioning facilities is able to provide maternal and child health services. In 2025, nearly 5 million women of childbearing age, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, are projected to face challenges accessing reproductive health services. In addition, an estimated 6.2 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence, while over 90 per cent of rural areas lack the necessary prevention and response services.

 In the first quarter of 2025, UNFPA reached more than 450,000 people with life-saving reproductive healthcare, protection information and services, and emergency relief; supporting 126 health facilities, 44 safe spaces, eight shelters, six youth spaces, and five specialized mental health centres. 

However, the lack of funding to UNFPA’s response in Yemen risks cutting off life-saving services for 1.5 million women and girls and reversing hard won progress in reproductive health and women’s protection. The termination of funding agreements by the United States in February 2025 has significant implications for UNFPA’s humanitarian response in Yemen, with US$ 17.5 million in funding being cut for maternal healthcare, women’s protection, and other life-saving services. In 2025, UNFPA is appealing for US$ 70 million to maintain its critical support for women and girls but to date, only US$ 18.5 million has been funded.