By the numbers: Yemen's humanitarian crisis

World
Europe

02:18

The conflict in Yemen has triggered "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world," and it could lead to the worst famine globally in a century, according to the United Nations.

Figures available on the country's political and economic troubles paint an ominous picture of the reality facing almost every person in Yemen.

In 2016, the UN estimated that Yemen had a population of 28 million, among which 22.2 million people were in need of some kind of humanitarian or protection assistance. Eight million are at risk of starvation according to the UN's recent projections.

Children have been some of the hardest-hit segments of the population. In the past three years, 85,000 children under the age of five have died from acute malnutrition according to Save the Children, an international non-profit organization.

It warns that up to 30 percent of children will continue to die every year if the problem is not addressed. Some 1.8 million children are already facing malnutrition, and more than eight million do not have access to basic water, sanitation or hygiene services, according to UNICEF.

Workers unload sacks of wheat flour as people gather outside an aid distribution center in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Yemen, June 14, 2018. /VCG Photo

The restriction of access to ports by the Saudi-led coalition has hindered the delivery of aid. The city of Hodeidah is the country's most crucial port of entry for imported goods.

Ninety percent of Yemen's imported food comes through the port city, but commercial imports have fallen by more than 55,000 metric tonnes each month since the blockade was put in place a year ago, according to Save the Children.

The charity estimates that this would be enough cargo to meet the needs of 4.4 million people, half of whom are children.

The resurgence in violence is increasing the threat of famine, according to officials from the World Health Organization. They say this is also preventing the organization's delivery of aid, exacerbating the crisis further.