Yemen: humanitarian situation and UK aid

Yemen’s civil war has been ongoing since 2014. The Iran-backed Houthis currently control the northern parts of the country, the capital Sana’a and most of the country’s population. It is opposed to the internationally recognised government, now formed of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), which has been backed militarily by a Saudi-led coalition.

High-intensity conflict has not been renewed since a nationwide ceasefire was agreed in 2022, though the ceasefire later expired. Since October 2023 the Houthis have been launching attacks against shipping in the Red Sea and against Israel. The UK, United States and Israel have been launching air strikes in response to the Houthi attacks. There is also some local violence.

The Commons Library research briefing UK and international response to Houthis in the Red Sea 2024/25 describes the strikes, Houthi attacks and the current state of the conflict and peace negotiations in Yemen.

This research briefing sets out the level of humanitarian need in Yemen and the amount of UK aid committed in recent years.

Level of humanitarian need

In 2025 around 19.5 million people (56% of Yemen’s 35 million population) need humanitarian assistance and protection. Around 76% of those in need are women and children (based on 2023 data) and 15% of those in need had a disability. Around 4.8 million people are displaced.

In 2025, 17 million people (49% of the population) will face “severe” food insecurity, with 5 million in emergency-level conditions. In 2024, the World Health Organization said Yemen faced the “highest burden of cholera” globally, with 35% of all recorded cases.

The UN and World Bank reported extensive damage to infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. Gross domestic product per person has fallen 54% since 2016, back to 2001 levels. The UN has also reported access challenges to deliver aid, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas. The group has banned women working without male guardians and has detained a number of UN workers. The UN, UK and others have called for their release.

UK aid to Yemen

From 2015 to April 2024, the UK provided over £1 billion in aid to Yemen. Bilateral aid peaked at £260 million in 2019 and fell to £77 million in 2022. This was the lowest total since 2015. It then rose to £102 million in 2023. In 2024, the UK was the third largest donor to the UN’s humanitarian response plan for Yemen, behind the United States and European Commission.

In January 2025 the Labour Government said it will provide £144 million in 2024/25 for Yemen. UK aid will support 864,000 people with cash to buy food and provide over 700 health facilities with medicines, vaccines, and nutritional supplements. This represented an increase of £5 million on Conservative plans announced in May 2024.

Update log

January 2025: Update on humanitarian situation and UK aid pledges