Full Breakdown
Houthi Siege of Taiz Pushes Millions into Acute Humanitarian Need
By Drooid · · How we work
Siege and Humanitarian Crisis
Since early October, Iran-backed Houthi forces have encircled Taiz, cutting the main road to Aden and halting the flow of aid. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 800,000 residents—about three-quarters of the city’s population—are now cut off from humanitarian assistance. Hospitals face critical shortages of fuel, oxygen, and medicines, while water trucks, the primary source of drinking water, have become prohibitively expensive.
Background & Context
The siege follows a broader escalation that began after the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led coalition intervention in 2015. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 collapsed in July 2024 when the Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi ports, reigniting large-scale fighting and displacing hundreds of thousands across Taiz and neighboring provinces.
Data & Statistics
- Population cut off: >800,000 people (UN World Food Programme).
- Children with acute malnutrition: >52,000; severe cases: ~11,500 (UN screenings).
- Fuel and food price spikes: a 20-litre petrol container rose from about $20 to $80; potato prices doubled (Oxfam).
- Casualties since August: 1,574 killed, 6,939 wounded (UN).
Official Statements & Responses
Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson, told a Geneva press briefing that “It’s 20 days and counting since Taiz has been cut off” and warned “the clock is running out.” The European Commission announced an additional €22.5 million in aid, supplementing the €87.5 million already allocated for 2026.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s 20 days and counting since Taiz has been cut off,” — Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN’s humanitarian arm, OCHA
- “It comes with a time code: The clock is running out.” — Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN’s humanitarian arm, OCHA
- “We’re desperately trying to regain access to Taiz, and we continue to support the broader operations across Yemen,” — Azfar Deen
These statements underscore the urgency of restoring aid corridors and the widening funding gap as donor contributions fall short of the UN’s humanitarian programme needs.