Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Marked economic deterioration, symptomized by the depreciation of the Yemeni Rial by some 30 per cent was witnessed between August and September 2018, compounded by the unprecedented increase in the price of fuel. An additional 3.5 to 5.6 million people are estimated to be added to the 8 million already severely food insecure as a result.

United Nations-led consultations on a peace process with representatives from Yemeni parties were scheduled to take place on 6 September 2018 in Geneva. However, the consultations were called off after 3 days following the lack of representation by all parties to the conflict at the consultation. The Special Envoy to Yemen is pressing ahead for formal  consultations to commence in the coming months. 

A High-level event during the 73rd General Assembly entitled 'Protecting the health and rights of women and girls affected by conflict: Focus on Yemen and South Sudan' led by UNFPA and co-ponsored by Denmark, the European Union, South Sudan, the United Kingdom and Yemen, shone a spotlight on the plight of women and girls whose lives have been upended by conflict – particularly in  Yemen,  and announcement of commitments to provide increased support to improve the health, well-being, and protection of conflict-affected women and adolescent girls.

UNFPA's response in Yemen has reached more than half a million people to date, with continued expansion in coverage and size of operations. This includes increasing the number of safe spaces from from 4 to 12 by end of the year,  support to nearly 200 health facilities, construction of maternity units and distribution of some 200,000 dignity kits across conflict-affected areas in the country.