Aden – The United Nations has warned that the latest military escalation in Yemen risks worsening the already dire humanitarian situation, stressing that ongoing clashes and severe funding shortages could restrict aid access to millions in need. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said more than 22 million people across Yemen still require humanitarian support, including nearly 11 million women and girls, as food insecurity deepens and essential services deteriorate. Officials highlighted that the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan has received only 18% of the required funding, raising fears that critical programs may be scaled back, leaving the most vulnerable without assistance. Humanitarian agencies caution that without immediate international support, the combination of renewed fighting and underfunded relief efforts could push Yemen further into crisis, exacerbating malnutrition, health risks, and protection concerns for women and children. The UN reiterated its call for sustained funding and unhindered humanitarian access, warning that the cost of inaction will be measured in lives lost.