The Middle East is facing a humanitarian crisis, with widespread instability and violence affecting several regions. Yemen remains the worst example, where poverty has exacerbated the challenges due to malnutrition. Doctors Without Borders described hunger as “a crisis inside the crisis” in the country, highlighting its devastating impact on the population.
In 2024, acute watery diarrhea and high rates of malnutrition were reported at MSF facilities, adding to the already dire situation. Sporadic cases of polio and diphtheria have also been identified. The US military conducted 29 airstrikes against Houthi positions in northern Yemen, while tensions in Gaza remain heightened.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Hamas rejected a proposal for hostage release in exchange for war’s end and Israeli withdrawal. Military operations in Gaza continue, with over 40 Hamas militants killed during armored offensives in the Rafah area.
Intermittent violence persists in Lebanon despite a ceasefire brokered by France and the US since November 27, 2024. An Israeli drone strike claimed the life of a Hezbollah member, adding to regional tensions. In Syria, efforts to rebuild after years of conflict continue, with 175,512 Syrians returning home from Türkiye as of December 9 last year.
Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-04/instability-hunger-and-violence-plagues-the-middle-east.html