UNFPA Faces Severe Funding Cuts Threatening Maternal Health in Yemen

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is struggling to maintain critical reproductive health services in Yemen as a 40% reduction in humanitarian funding has forced the suspension of one-third of its programs, according to Francesco Galtieri, the agency’s senior official in the country. The cuts, reported by UN News, are exacerbating a crisis where maternal mortality rates remain the highest in the Arab region, with three women dying daily from pregnancy-related complications.

Rising Malnutrition and Health Crises

Malnutrition is escalating in Yemen, particularly among pregnant women, who face heightened risks of adverse outcomes for their babies. “Unfortunately, malnutrition is on the rise,” Galtieri said, citing the dire consequences of food insecurity. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 2.3 million people in Yemen are in need of acute nutrition assistance, with children under five disproportionately affected.

Healthcare access remains a major barrier, especially in rural areas. Yemen’s maternal mortality rate stands at 210 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to WHO data, far above the global average. Around two-thirds of these deaths could be prevented with access to midwives or doctors, but infrastructure damage and resource shortages persist.

Impact of Funding Cuts

The 2023 funding reductions have crippled UNFPA’s ability to provide lifesaving care. Services such as emergency obstetric care, prenatal checkups, and gynecological treatments have been scaled back, leaving thousands without support. Galtieri warned that “reduced services mean a woman experiencing complications may be unable to access lifesaving care, often resulting in the death of both mother and child.”

Protection services for women and girls, including shelters for survivors of gender-based violence, have also been affected. UNFPA-supported shelters are now unable to accept new residents, leaving vulnerable populations without refuge. The agency’s legal aid programs, which assist survivors in navigating Yemen’s judicial system, face similar constraints.

Calls for Increased Investment

At the UNFPA Executive Board meetings in New York, Galtieri emphasized the need for renewed focus on sexual and reproductive health rights, an issue he described as “under such scrutiny in decades.” He urged decision-makers to prioritize midwifery programs and maternal care, arguing that “funding decisions often favor other priorities, despite the clear human cost.”

Recent efforts by the WHO to bolster hospital capacity, such as the donation of 30 medical beds and trauma kits to Al-Thawra Hospital in Hudaydah, highlight fragmented support. However, these measures are insufficient to address the scale of the crisis, according to humanitarian experts.

Why It Matters

The funding crisis in Yemen mirrors broader challenges in conflict zones, where healthcare systems collapse under economic and political strain. In 2022, the UN reported that 80% of Yemen’s healthcare facilities were either damaged or non-functional. The current cuts risk reversing fragile progress made in reducing maternal mortality, which had decreased by 12% between 2015 and 2020.

Advocacy groups warn that without immediate intervention, the humanitarian toll will worsen. “This isn’t just a health issue—it’s a human rights issue,” said a spokesperson for the International Rescue Committee, citing similar funding shortfalls in other conflict-affected regions.

What’s Next?

UNFPA has called for urgent donor support to restore suspended services, with Galtieri stating, “Prioritizing lifesaving care should not be controversial.” The agency is also seeking partnerships with local NGOs to expand reach. Meanwhile, the WHO continues to monitor the situation, urging governments to address the root causes of food insecurity and healthcare neglect.

As Yemen’s conflict enters its tenth year, the stakes for women and girls remain alarmingly high. Without sustained investment, the cycle of preventable deaths and trauma will continue, underscoring the urgent need for global accountability and action.