GS2.10 · GS2.10, GS2.9, GS2.2 · 2026-10-21 · 3 min read · 2026-10-21-am
UN Reports on Yemen Displacement and Afghanistan Hunger Crisis
The UN has reported over 250,000 people displaced by renewed fighting in Yemen, with critical shortages of food and medical supplies in Taiz. In Afghanistan, nearly 16 million face crisis-level hunger, with 3.4 million in emergency conditions, worsened by economic hardship and exclusion of women from education and work.
The UN highlights worsening humanitarian crises in Yemen and Afghanistan due to conflict, blockades, and socio-economic factors, stressing urgent aid and long-term recovery efforts.
Why is this in the news?
On 20 October 2026, the UN reported escalating displacement in Yemen and a hunger crisis nearing famine in Afghanistan, emphasizing urgent humanitarian needs.
What is the current humanitarian situation in Yemen?
- Displacement due to conflict. More than 250,000 people have fled renewed fighting in Yemen, especially in Taiz governorate, where access is blocked by Houthi fighters.
- Blockade and supply shortages. The Houthis have closed the only supply route linking Taiz to Aden, blocking humanitarian aid and essential supplies, causing food and medical shortages.
- Health and sanitation crisis. Sanitation services have halted, increasing risks of cholera, measles, diphtheria, and dengue outbreaks, while hospitals face fuel and oxygen shortages.
- Vulnerable populations. About half of the displaced have sought shelter in overcrowded camps with little food or clean water; refugees from Somalia and Ethiopia also need urgent support.
What is driving the hunger crisis in Afghanistan?
- Scale of hunger. Nearly 16 million Afghans face crisis-level hunger, with 3.4 million in emergency conditions, and numbers expected to rise to 19 million in winter.
- Causes beyond food availability. Food exists in markets, but many cannot afford it due to poverty, conflict, drought, and lack of income or basic services.
- Impact of exclusion of women. Systematic exclusion of women and girls from education and work reduces maternal health and nutrition, weakening families' ability to recover.
- Need for sustained investment. Humanitarian aid saves lives today, but long-term recovery requires investment in agriculture, livelihoods, health, and women's economic participation.
Why do these crises matter for UPSC aspirants?
- Conflict and humanitarian impact. These crises illustrate how prolonged conflict disrupts food security, health, and displacement, affecting regional stability and international relations.
- Role of international organizations. The UN's coordination of aid and warnings highlight the importance of global governance and humanitarian law in conflict zones.
- Link to social issues. Exclusion of women and economic hardship in Afghanistan show the social dimensions of hunger and development challenges.
Key numbers
| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 250,000 | People displaced by renewed fighting in Yemen | |
| 16 million | Afghans facing crisis-level hunger | |
| 3.4 million | Afghans living in emergency hunger conditions |
Back to basics: Food Security and Humanitarian Aid
Food security means having reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Humanitarian aid provides emergency assistance such as food, water, and medical care to populations affected by conflict or disasters. Conflicts disrupt supply chains and livelihoods, increasing hunger and displacement, requiring coordinated international response to save lives and support recovery.
What happens next?
- Restore humanitarian access. The UN calls for all parties in Yemen to allow humanitarian aid access to vulnerable populations and protect civilians and infrastructure.
- Sustained economic investment. In Afghanistan, beyond emergency aid, sustained investment in agriculture, health services, and women's participation is needed to reduce dependency on aid.
Practice: MCQ, Mains and revision
Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements about the humanitarian crises in Yemen and Afghanistan reported by the UN in October 2026: 1. In Yemen, over 250,000 people have been displaced due to renewed fighting, with the Houthis blocking supply routes to Taiz. 2. In Afghanistan, nearly 16 million people face crisis-level hunger, mainly because food is unavailable in markets. Which of the statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer and trap
Answer: (a). Statement 2 is incorrect because the crisis in Afghanistan is due to food being inaccessible or unaffordable, not unavailable in markets.
Mains question (15 marks)
Discuss the impact of prolonged conflict on food security and humanitarian conditions, with reference to Yemen and Afghanistan.
Discuss: Explain how conflict affects food security and humanitarian needs, citing the situations in Yemen and Afghanistan.
Intro: Prolonged conflict disrupts food supply, displaces populations, and worsens humanitarian conditions.
- In Yemen, fighting and blockades have displaced over 250,000 people and blocked aid, causing food and medical shortages.
- In Afghanistan, hunger affects millions due to economic hardship and exclusion of women, despite food availability in markets.
- International organizations like the UN coordinate emergency aid but emphasize the need for sustained recovery investments.
Conclusion: Conflict-induced humanitarian crises require both immediate aid and long-term development efforts to restore food security.
Quick revision
- How many people have been displaced by fighting in Yemen according to the UN?
- More than 250,000 people have been displaced.
- What is the scale of hunger crisis in Afghanistan?
- Nearly 16 million Afghans face crisis-level hunger, with 3.4 million in emergency conditions.
- Why is food inaccessible to many in Afghanistan despite availability in markets?
- Many cannot afford food due to poverty, conflict, and lack of income or basic services.
Sources
- [1] United Nations News: Yemen war continues to force families from homes amid hunger and disease · 2026-10-20 · official
- [2] United Nations News: ‘One step away from famine’: Inside Afghanistan’s hunger crisis · 2026-10-20 · official