UN Warns of Approaching Catastrophe in Yemen's Taiz as Houthi Siege Deepens Humanitarian Crisis

A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Yemen’s Taiz, with the United Nations issuing a stark warning that time is running out to address the escalating disaster. For nearly three weeks, the Iran-backed Houthis have maintained a siege on the city, effectively cutting off essential supplies and leaving over 800,000 people isolated from aid.

The blockade, which began in early October, has severed the crucial road connecting Taiz to Aden, the interim capital for Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Consequently, the city has seen minimal inflow of fuel, food, and other vital supplies. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN’s humanitarian arm, OCHA, stated at a press conference in Geneva on Friday that the ongoing fighting makes access for humanitarian organizations impossible and prevents residents from leaving.

The situation has led to a tripling of the cost of water delivered by trucks, which is now the primary source for most residents. Cooking gas is also scarce, jeopardizing the operation of community kitchens that serve meals to families. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), approximately three-quarters of the 800,000-plus people cut off in Taiz rely on humanitarian assistance, with at least 200,000 being women and children.

While local humanitarian groups are distributing remaining supplies to maintain essential services like water pumps and hospitals, Laerke emphasized the urgency, stating, “The clock is running out.”

Fighting has intensified in Taiz province in recent days, with clashes reported in the Jabal Han highlands and the Dhubab and al-Masrakh districts. Forces of the internationally recognized government reported conducting raids and counterattacks, claiming to have “neutralised” 620 Houthi fighters and destroyed 190 vehicles in the past 24 hours, though Al Jazeera could not independently verify these figures.

Hospitals in the province are facing critical shortages of fuel, oxygen, medicine, and supplies. The World Health Organization reported that 42 facilities in Taiz are experiencing “acute” deficits. The conflict has also exacerbated an existing hunger crisis, with UN screenings identifying over 52,000 children in Taiz suffering from acute malnutrition, including approximately 11,500 with severe acute malnutrition.

Azfar Deen, a WFP regional communications officer, expressed the desperate efforts to regain access to Taiz and continue broader operations across Yemen. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the European Commission announced an additional 22.5 million euros ($25.2 million) in aid for Yemen, supplementing the 87.5 million euros ($97.9 million) previously allocated for 2026.

Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014, leading to the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in 2015. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 collapsed in July, following the Houthis' announcement of a blockade on Saudi ports. This escalation has displaced nearly 260,000 people, primarily in Taiz and Lahij provinces, and caused over 3,800 to flee to Djibouti. Since August, at least 1,574 people have been killed and 6,939 wounded in the conflict.