A new United Nations (UN) briefing to the Security Council has sounded the alarm over an escalating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, warning that the country faces “an alarming and dangerous intensification of hostilities” alongside one of the world’s worst hunger emergencies.
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg described Yemen as “both a mirror and a magnifier of the region’s volatility”, citing rising violence, regional tensions and the detention of UN staff as obstacles to peace and humanitarian relief.
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, meanwhile, reported that Yemen remains the third most food-insecure country on earth, with 17 million people already struggling to eat and an additional one million expected to face extreme hunger by early 2025.
Among the hardest hit areas is Hajja Governorate, where children have died from starvation in camps for displaced families and where humanitarian operations are under strain from insecurity and funding gaps, according to the UN. Fletcher warned that “mass hunger must not define the future of Yemen,” urging immediate support for aid workers and the safe delivery of assistance.
In response to this deepening crisis, Project Masam has launched new clearance operations in Hajja, one of Yemen’s most heavily mine-affected governorates. Years of conflict have left behind deadly mines and unexploded ordnance that endanger civilians, block aid routes and prevent farmers from working their land.
By clearing these explosive remnants of war, Project Masam teams are opening vital access for humanitarian relief and enabling farmers to safely return to their fields; a critical step toward restoring local food production and alleviating hunger.
“Landmines not only kill and maim, they trap families in cycles of poverty and food insecurity,” said Project Masam Managing Director Ousama Algosaibi. “Our work in Hajja is about saving lives today and giving communities the chance to feed themselves tomorrow.”
As the UN continues to call for dialogue and a nationwide ceasefire, Project Masam’s demining operations provide a practical lifeline to civilians. By removing explosive hazards, Project Masam helps create the safe conditions needed for humanitarian access, economic recovery and the long-term stability Yemen so urgently needs.
Algosaibi concluded: “When farmers can plant and harvest without fear, families can eat, local markets revive, and Yemen takes a step away from famine.”
