(VOVworld) -  The United Nations on Wednesday appealed for 2.1 billion USD to support millions of Yemen people, warning that Yemen might soon face a serious famine.

Sanaa's outskirt after an air strike (Source: AFP/VNA)

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien said two years of war has devastated Yemen, and millions of men, women, and children are desperately in need of help. Without international support, they may face the threat of famine in 2017. Mr. O’Brien urged donors to increase their support.

The conflict in Yemen escalated last March when a Saudi Arabia-led military alliance began air strikes against Houthi rebels, who had taken control of several regions in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The UN has reported that 7,500 people have been killed, more than 40,000 have been injured, and over 2 million have had to leave their homes.