A joint statement from 188 humanitarian organizations, including several UN agencies, warned that 18.2 million people in Yemen -- more than half the population -- were in need of help after nine years of war with a Saudi-led coalition.

"Inaction would have catastrophic consequences for the lives of Yemeni women, children and men," the statement said, AFP reported. 

"The humanitarian community appeals to donors to urgently address existing funding gaps, and provide sustainable support to enhance resilience and reduce aid dependency."

Hundreds of thousands have died in the fighting or from indirect causes such as a lack of food in the wake of Saudi war on Yemen that was launched in 2015, according to the United Nations.