Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 12, 2026 Peace and security
At a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, humanitarian officials and the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen presented a grim picture of the situation in the country, where protracted conflict continues to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and undermine prospects for sustainable stabilization.
UN Special Envoy: Stabilization is impossible without a political process
Speaking from Riyadh, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, emphasized that the humanitarian crisis in the country cannot be resolved without progress on the political front. He noted that initial signs of improvement are being seen in some areas, including the restoration of electricity, the payment of salaries to civil servants, and the formation of a new cabinet. However, these achievements remain fragile amid protests, violent incidents, and attacks on journalists.
Grundberg welcomed the appointment of three women to ministerial posts and stressed the need for their full participation in decision-making and peace negotiations.
The special envoy warned that the conflict has become significantly more complex over the years of war: "Lines of confrontation are multiplying, local contradictions are intensifying, regional tensions are fueling the conflict and are themselves fueled by it."
He stressed that the political process must take into account the interrelationship of political, economic and military aspects and be based on both short-term and long-term perspectives.
Grundberg focused particularly on the issue of detainees. He recalled that a year ago, a UN World Food Programme employee died in custody in Yemen, and no investigation has yet been conducted. He called on the Houthi movement, Ansar Allah, to immediately and unconditionally release all detained UN and NGO employees and drop the prosecutions.
Amid rising tensions throughout the Middle East, Grundberg warned that Yemen "must not be drawn into a wider confrontation." He emphasized that decisions about war and peace cannot be made unilaterally.
"Desperate" humanitarian situation
Speaking on behalf of the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Lisa Doughten reported that the situation in Yemen is "more desperate than ever." She stated that 22.3 million Yemenis, half the country's population, will need humanitarian assistance by 2026. "Currently, 73 UN staff remain arbitrarily detained by the de facto authorities, along with dozens of NGO workers and civil society representatives," she said.
According to the UN, more than 18 million Yemenis currently face acute food insecurity, and 5.5 million live in the worst possible food insecurity.
The healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.
Yemen's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse: 40 percent of medical facilities are non-functional or at risk of closure, and outbreaks of preventable diseases, including measles and cholera, are on the rise. Yemen currently has the third-highest number of cholera cases in the world.
The rise in child and maternal malnutrition is particularly alarming: 2.2 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, and 570,000 from severe malnutrition. Almost one in two children in the country suffers from stunting.
Humanitarian organizations were able to provide assistance to millions of people in 2025, including food support and treatment for children with severe malnutrition. However, the UN humanitarian plan was only 28.5 percent funded, forcing agencies to cut programs.
Doughten called on UN member states to ensure sustainable funding for humanitarian programmes and to increase pressure on the country's de facto authorities to release detained aid workers and stop interfering with humanitarian activities.
Both speeches concluded with a call for Security Council member states to support the UN's efforts – both to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and to return the parties to an inclusive political process.
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