EU Boosts Humanitarian Aid to Yemen with Additional €40 Million, Totaling €120 Million for 2025

EU Ramps Up Support Amid Deepening Crisis

The European Union has committed an additional €40 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen, bringing its total support for the country in 2025 to €120 million. This latest allocation, announced on September 24, 2025, underscores the EU's ongoing commitment to addressing one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The funds are intended to provide life-saving assistance to millions affected by a decade of conflict, economic collapse, and climate-induced disasters.

The additional funding comes after an initial commitment of €80 million for 2025, announced on May 21, 2025. The European Commission highlighted that Yemen continues to face dire conditions, with humanitarian needs escalating across the country.

The Dire Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

Yemen remains gripped by a protracted crisis, with an estimated 19.5 million people—more than half of its population—in need of humanitarian assistance and protection services in 2025. The situation is particularly critical regarding food security, with 17.1 million people experiencing acute food insecurity.

Key challenges exacerbating the crisis include:

• Widespread Malnutrition: Nearly 2 million children are malnourished, with approximately 500,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition.
• Collapsing Health System: The country's health infrastructure is on the brink of collapse, leading to recurrent outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, measles, and polio.
• Economic Deterioration: A decade of conflict has led to a significant economic decline, with the country's GDP shrinking by over 50 percent since 2015.
• Climate Shocks: Recurrent climate-induced events, including recent flash floods, have displaced over 50,600 families and destroyed arable land, further worsening hunger.
• Funding Shortfalls: The 2025 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan is severely underfunded, standing at only 18 percent as of early September, forcing aid agencies to scale back critical operations.

EU's Comprehensive Response and Future Outlook

The EU's funding will be channeled through humanitarian partners, including UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, to deliver aid to vulnerable communities. The assistance will cover essential needs such as food, health services (including malnutrition and epidemic control), water provision, sanitation, hygiene, and education. Protection services, including mine clearance and mine risk education, are also part of the funded programs.

Since the conflict began in 2015, the EU has contributed almost €1.6 billion to the response in Yemen, including over €1 billion in humanitarian aid and nearly €500 million in development assistance and peacebuilding efforts. The European Commission is a leading donor to the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan, with European Member States also providing substantial contributions.

Despite the significant aid, humanitarian organizations warn that without sustained global support and political solutions, the crisis could deepen, potentially leading to widespread famine. The EU continues to advocate for humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law in Yemen.