United Nations, Feb 14 (IANS): Nearly 16 million people or 60 percent of Yemen's population, are in desperate need of humanitarian aid, a UN official said.

Despite the political crisis, delivering humanitarian assistance in terms of food, clean water and sanitation to all those in need is possible, humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Johannes van der Klaauw said Friday.

The security situation has deteriorated in Yemen since January when the Shia Houthi group seized the presidential palace in Sana'a after violent clashes with presidential guards, Xinhua reported.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Thursday that "Yemen is collapsing before our eyes," urging the international community to "do everything possible" to help the country step back from the brink of anarchy.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) also voiced its concern over the economic crisis looming over the country.

It is particularly worrying to see increased numbers of malnourished children and fewer children going to school, UNICEF has said.

On Monday, Yemen's political parties and the Houthi group resumed talks under UN envoy Jamal Benomar, aiming to find a solution to peacefully end the current crisis.