Yemen, already one of the world's most water-scarce countries, faces a deepening water crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflict and weak regulatory frameworks. According to the United Nations, over 17 million people in Yemen lack access to safe water and sanitation, a situation worsened by the war that began in 2014.
The conflict has damaged water infrastructure, including pipelines and treatment plants, while the collapse of governance has led to unregulated groundwater extraction. The World Bank reports that Yemen's renewable water resources per capita are among the lowest globally, at less than 100 cubic meters per year, far below the water scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters.
Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross have warned that waterborne diseases, including cholera, are rampant. In 2024, Yemen reported over 100,000 suspected cholera cases, with children under five particularly vulnerable.
Efforts to address the crisis include emergency water trucking and rehabilitation of wells, but long-term solutions require peace and stronger water governance. The UN's 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen seeks $4.3 billion to aid 17.3 million people, with water and sanitation as a priority sector.
