Yemen is facing a catastrophic agricultural crisis as an alarming 85% of its farmland remains uncultivated this year due to an unprecedented drought. Farmers around the capital, Sana, are sounding the alarm, reporting that this year’s severe lack of rainfall has decimated crops and livestock. “Last year, thank God, rain was abundant, but this year, the rainfall has been light,” lamented a local farmer, highlighting the stark contrast that has left the once lush fields barren.

The situation has become dire, with entire herds dwindling as animals succumb to hunger. “I used to have 70 sheep, but now I have 50,” one farmer recounted, emphasizing the devastating impact of the drought on their livelihoods. The UN reports that approximately 70% of Yemenis depend on agriculture for survival, making this drought not just a seasonal challenge, but a full-blown crisis threatening food security across the nation.

Climate change has exacerbated these conditions, with researchers warning that the frequency and severity of droughts in Yemen have worsened over recent decades. The impending second growing season, which begins in late July, looms ominously, with farmers fearing that without significant rainfall, the situation could devolve into a humanitarian disaster.

Yemen’s people, already battered by years of war, blockades, and inflation, now face the grim reality that the little food they can produce is at risk. With 80% of the country’s food imported, the drought’s impact on local agriculture will ripple through an already fragile food system, pushing millions further into desperation. The world must take urgent notice of this escalating crisis before it spirals beyond control.