United Nations in Yemen

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Yemen:

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Publication

28 April 2025

UN Yemen Country Results Report 2024

This report highlights the resilience of the Yemeni people and the collaborative impact of the United Nations Country Team and its partners in 2024. Despite immense challenges, significant strides were made in delivering essential development support, strengthening local capacities, and fostering pathways towards stability.Understand how the UN addressed critical needs in food security, healthcare, education, and livelihoods, while strengthening governance and promoting inclusive solutions. Discover the importance of strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and the unwavering commitment to sustainable development goals in the Yemeni context.Download the full report to learn more about the UN's activities, achievements, and ongoing dedication to supporting Yemen's journey towards a peaceful and prosperous future.

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Press Release

05 September 2024

IOM Yemen: IOM Appeals for USD 13.3 Million to Help Hundreds of Thousands Affected by Yemen Floods

Yemen, 5 September – In response to the severe flooding and violent windstorms affecting nearly 562,000 people in Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a USD 13.3 million appeal to deliver urgent life-saving assistance. The unprecedented weather events have compounded the humanitarian crisis in the country, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons and host communities in dire need of assistance. “Yemen is facing yet another devastating chapter in its relentless crisis, exacerbated by the intersection of conflict and extreme weather events,” said Matt Huber, IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission. “IOM teams are on the ground, working around the clock to deliver immediate relief to families affected by this catastrophe. However, the scale of the destruction is staggering, and we urgently need additional funding to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind. We must act immediately to prevent further loss and alleviate the suffering of those impacted.” In recent months, torrential rains and flooding have destroyed homes, displaced thousands of families, and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including health centres, schools, and roads. Across multiple governorates, including Ibb, Sana’a, Ma’rib, Al Hodeidah, and Ta’iz, thousands of people have been left without shelter, clean water, or access to basic services, and scores of lives have been tragically lost. The storms have struck as the country grapples with a cholera outbreak and escalating food insecurity, further exacerbating the vulnerability of displaced families and strained health systems. As the harsh weather conditions are expected to continue, more households are at risk of displacement and exposure to disease outbreaks due to damaged water and health infrastructure. Ma’rib Governorate has been particularly hard-hit, with strong winds since 11 August severely damaging 73 displacement sites and affecting over 21,000 households. Public services, including electricity networks, have been severely affected, aggravating the crisis in one of Yemen’s most vulnerable regions. Urgent shelter repairs and cash assistance are needed, with healthcare services and sanitation infrastructure among the most immediate priorities. Since early August, floodwaters have damaged shelters, roads, water sources, and medical facilities, leaving over 15,000 families in Al Hodeidah and 11,000 in Ta’iz in desperate need of emergency support. These rains have not only led to tragic loss of life but have also wiped out entire communities’ belongings and means of survival. In response to this crisis, IOM is targeting 350,000 people with shelter, non-food items (NFI), cash-based interventions, health, camp coordination and camp management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. Distribution of water tanks, latrine repairs, and desludging efforts are ongoing in multiple sites, while health services are being expanded, with mobile teams currently treating over 100 individuals and referring critical cases to hospitals. IOM’s efforts are further supported by emergency response committees working tirelessly to register and verify affected households, relocate displaced families, and reduce the risks of further damage. However, the resources available are insufficient to cover the vast needs, with key gaps remaining, especially in the shelter and NFI sector. With no contingency stocks for essential relief items and the situation growing more critical by the day, immediate funding is necessary to address the most pressing needs on the ground. IOM stands ready to scale up its response but requires the necessary resources to do so. With further severe weather expected in the coming weeks and funding constraints, the Organization is urgently calling on the international community to support this appeal to continue providing lifesaving aid and address the overwhelming needs of those affected. To read the full appeal, please visit this page. For more information, please contact:  In Yemen: Monica Chiriac, mchiriac@iom.int  In Cairo: Joe Lowry, jlowry@iom.int  In Geneva: Mohammedali Abunajela, mmabunajela@iom.int 

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Press Release

04 May 2023

Statement: Remarks at the pledging event for the FSO Safer operation co-hosted by the Netherlands and the United Kingdom

First, I want echo Achim’s thank you to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for having organized this event. And for contributing generously. A third element that they both deserve credit for is recognizing early on the promise of a private-sector initiative to address the Safer which the Fahem Group and SMIT Salvage proposed in mid-2021 – a time when the previous UN plan to inspect the Safer was not moving. The initiative called for a leading maritime salvage company to transfer the oil off the Safer and replace the decaying supertanker’s capacity. That was the basis upon which the United Nations principals asked me to lead and coordinate UN system-wide efforts on the Safer, in September 2021. In December 2021, United Nations senior management endorsed the UN-coordinated plan and asked UNDP to implement it, contingent upon donor funding. In February 2021, I met with the Government of Yemen in Aden, which confirmed its support for the plan. They have remained supportive ever since – as evidenced by a $5 million pledge that they made last year. The Sana’a authorities had been favorable to the original initiative, but insisted that it be done under UN auspices. In March 2022, they signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN that committed them to facilitating the operation. A commitment that they continue to honor. The agreement was also signed by myself with the Fahem Group, which has supported engagement in Sana’a on the initiative since 2021 on a voluntary basis. By April 2022, the UN presented a draft operational plan to begin fundraising. The original budget for phase 1 and 2 was $144 million. As Achim said, the Netherlands pledging event in The Hague last May brought in $33 million, which was a catalyst to move us to where we are today. But finding funds to prevent a catastrophe proved far more difficult than finding money for a disaster. In June, we launched a public crowdfunding campaign for the operation. That has now brought in more than $250,000. More importantly, it captured media attention that galvanized further support for the plan. In August, we received the first pledge from a private entity. $1.2 million from the HSA Group. The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers followed with a $10 million pledge and Trafigura Foundation with $1 million. The private sector, we learned, was concerned about its liability linked to a contribution. UNDP, in particular, led the effort to resolve those issues of concern which gives us a basis for further private sector contributions. By September last year, the UN met the target of $75 million to start the operation. Unfortunately, even as UNDP was gearing up to begin, the cost of suitable replacement vessels surged, chiefly due to developments related to the war in Ukraine. More money was also needed to start the initial phase because of the necessity to purchase a replacement vessel – also linked to the war in Ukraine as suitable vessels for lease were no longer available. The budget for the emergency phase – during which the oil will be transferred – is now $129 million. Most of the funding is now required up front in phase one. Now, the second phase only requires $19 million to complete the project. So, the budget of $148 million is just $4 million more than was presented to donors a year ago. Prior to today’s announcements, we had raised $99.6 million from member states, the private sector and the general public. The general public has provided donations from $1 to $5,000. The broad coalition working to prevent the catastrophe also includes environmental groups like Greenpeace and, in Yemen, Holm Akhdar. Every part of the United Nations is involved, including the International Maritime Organization, the UN Environmental Progamme, and the World Food Progamme. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is among those that have worked on the Safer file for years and has now ensured $20 million of bridging finance. That would need to be replenished by donor funding. I also want to recognize the United States for playing a tireless role in mobilizing resources. It is among the top five donors, together with the Netherlands, Germany, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. On 9 March, UNDP’s Administrator took the bold decision to purchase the replacement vessel Nautica – before all of the operation was in place. That is because UNDP recognized the extraordinary problem and understood that the cost of inaction is too great, as Achim outlined. UNDP also contracted the Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage, which played an enormously helpful role in developing the UN plan long before it had a contract. With both the Nautica and the SMIT vessel Ndeavor en route to Djibouti, we expect the operation to start before the end of the month. Therefore, I thank all donors for the generous support, and we look forward to further generous support. But the risk of disaster remains. I am forever thankful to the heroic skeleton crew aboard the Safer that continues to do all it can to keep that vessel together until we can organize this salvage operation. None of us will heave a sigh of relief until the oil is transferred. And we will all heave a final sigh of relief when the critical second phase is completed. This requires that the project is fully funded as described. As everyone has said we are just one step away so lets take the final step. Thank you.

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Publication

26 October 2022

UNITED NATIONS YEMEN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION FRAMEWORK 2022 – 2024

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
UN global reform has elevated the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) to be “the most important instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities” in the country. It outlines the UN development system’s contributions to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in an integrated way, with a commitment to leave no one behind, uphold human rights, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), and other international standards and obligations. The UNSDCF seeks to address the humanitarian, development and peace challenges in Yemen in an environment where key public institutions are fragmented, no national strategy exists, and where there has been no national budget since 2014. The Yemen UNSDCF outlines the UN’s collective priorities and development objectives to be reached jointly in the next three years 2022-2024 as part of an ongoing and longer- term vision for resilience building and forging of a pathway to peace.
Yemen is a country in conflict. The priorities of this UNSDCF are derived from the analysis of the impacts of this ongoing crisis on the people of Yemen, and the needs and opportunities as outlined in the UN’s Common Country Analysis (CCA) conducted in 2021.
The UN has prioritized four pillars that resonate with the SDG priorities of people, peace, planet and prosperity that aim, as a matter of urgency, to improve people’s lives in Yemen and build resilience that is equitable, inclusive, people-centred, gender responsive and human rights based, through outcomes that: 1. Increase food security, improving livelihood options, and job creation 2. Preserve inclusive, effective and efficient national and local development systems strengthening 3. Drive inclusive economic structural transformation 4. Build social services, social protection, and inclusion for all
The theory of change is driven by an expectation that by 2024 the impact for all people of all ages in Yemen affected by conflict, forced displacement and living in poverty in all its dimensions will experience change in the quality of their lives. This will be possible through increased food security and nutrition, livelihood options and job creation; preserved national and local development and systems strengthening; inclusive economic structural transformation and the building of social services, social protection and inclusion for all. Food security and nutrition, and sustainable and resilient livelihoods and environmental stability will be realized through effective food production and diversified food and nutrition security; and through sustainable climate sensitive environmental management. Rights-based good governance and inclusive gender sensitive improved public services and rule of law will be possible as a result of accountable, inclusive and transparent institutions and systems, as well as the building of trusted justice systems. Increased income security and decent work for women, youth and vulnerable populations will be realised through micro and macro-economic development and job creation. Strengthened social protection and basic social support service delivery focused on support to marginalized groups, and strengthening women and youth leadership in decision making processes will be supported through the preservation of social protection and expanded and effective social assistance and basic services.
The UNSDCF prioritises the population groups in Yemen that have the highest risk of being left behind due to the impact of conflict; economic, social, geographic or political exclusion; and marginalisation. Enacting the central transformative principle of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, whilst challenging in the Yemen context, does provide the lens through which the UNSDCF targets the most vulnerable and prioritise Leaving No One Behind.
On the basis that some groups in Yemen bear the brunt of the conflict due to forced displacement, livelihood disruption, food insecurity, limited social safety nets, increased levels of poverty and poor-
quality housing, the CCA 2021 identifies the following population groups at the greatest risk of being left behind:
- Women and girls - 73 percent of those displaced in Yemen are women and girls, especially women of reproductive age and adolescent girls
- Children – 60 percent of those killed directly by conflict are children under five
- Youth and adolescents – an estimated 2 million school-age girls and boys are out of school as poverty, conflict, and lack of opportunities disrupt their education
- Internally displaced persons – more than 4 million IDPs with 172,000 newly displaced in 2020 and almost 160,000 in 2021
- Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants – Yemen hosts approximately 138,000 migrants and 140,000 refugees and asylum seekers
- Persons with disabilities – 4.5 million Yemenis have at least one disability
- Ethnic and religious minorities – It is estimated that Muhamasheen represent 10 percent of the population living in marginalised conditions
The UNSDCF is comprised of four chapters. Chapter One: explores Yemen’s progress towards the 2030 Agenda through a detailed analysis of the country context drawing on the 2021 CCA. Chapter Two: presents the theory of change generally and per outcome area. Chapter Three: outlines the UNSDCF’s implementation plan focused on the management structure, resources, links to country programming instruments and Yemen’s Business Operations Strategy. Chapter Four: highlights the process for CCA updates, Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning. The Results Framework presents the outcomes and key performance indicators for monitoring agreed targets utilizing verifiable data sets. Two annexes capture the legal basis for all UN entities engaged in the UNSDCF and the mandatory commitments to Harmonised Approaches to Cash Transfers (HACT)1.
The UNSDCF represents the UN’s understanding that continued engagement in Yemen requires an operational architecture under-pinned by the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and an integrated set of achievable programming priorities. These two strategic approaches of the UN system strengthen and make more inclusive the country’s national and local governance structures, and mainstream the required responses to the economic and health consequences of COVID-19. They tackle food insecurity and nutrition as a matter of priority and integrate the promotion and advancement of gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment.

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Press Release

15 August 2024

UNFPA/UNICEF Yemen: Life-saving aid critical as torrential rain sparks deadly floods across Yemen

Sana’a, 15 August 2024As relentless rain and catastrophic flooding in Yemen continue to exacerbate the suffering of families grappling with the impacts of poverty, hunger and protracted conflict, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, are delivering life-saving aid to some of the most vulnerable individuals through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). With torrential rains forecast to continue into September, US$4.9 million is urgently needed to scale up the emergency response. Exceptionally heavy seasonal rains have caused flash floods in Yemen which are wreaking havoc in different parts of the country – the governorates of Al Hodeidah, Hajjah, Sa’ada, and Taizz are among the hardest-hit. Homes, shelters, and belongings have been swept away. Since early August, more than 180,000 people have been affected – over 50,000 people have been displaced in Al Hodeidah alone – a figure that is likely to rise in the coming days. Within 72 hours of the floods, over 80,000 people in flood-affected governorates had received emergency relief through the RRM, including ready to eat food rations, hygiene items, and women’s sanitary products. These items offer some immediate relief from the hardships caused by these catastrophic events. “The devastating floods have increased people’s needs, which are tremendous,” said Enshrah Ahmed, UNFPA Representative to Yemen. “Our RRM teams are working round the clock to provide immediate relief to affected families, but with rising needs and severe weather conditions forecasted, the coming weeks and months will be critical to ensuring affected families can pick themselves up and, at the very least, recover their lives.” In 2024, an estimated 82 percent of people supported through the RRM have been severely affected or displaced by climate-related shocks. As a result of the unseasonal levels of rain, the RRM cluster has had to spring into action, overstretching RRM teams, and depleting available supplies and resources. As needs continue to rise, RRM teams are struggling to reach affected families due to damaged roads, the erosion of landmines and unexploded ordnance from frontline to civilian areas. Items included in the RRM package are also in short supply. “The situation in the flooded areas is devastating. UNICEF and partners are on the ground providing urgently needed support to those impacted. The role of the Rapid Response Teams is critical in times of distress such as this one,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen.The RRM in Yemen was established in 2018 to provide a minimum package of immediate, critical life-saving assistance during human-made or natural disasters to newly displaced persons, and people in displacement sites or hard-to-reach areas, until the first line cluster response kicks in. The RRM ensures the distribution of immediate, ready-to-eat rations, basic hygiene kits provided by UNICEF, and women’s sanitary items provided by UNFPA, within 72 hours of a displacement alert. *** For more information, please contact UNFPA Taha Yaseen: Tel. +967 712 224090; yaseen@unfpa.org Lankani Sikurajapathy: Tel. +94773411614; sikurajapathy@unfpa.org UNICEF Kamal Al-Wazizah: Tel. +967 712 223 06; kalwazizah@unicef.org

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15 October 2025

UNDP Yemen: When Water is Hard to Reach and Climate Change Intensifies

Yemen is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. The per capita share of renewable water resources is only around 80 cubic meters per year, far below the global threshold of 1,000 cubic meters that defines water stress. With no permanent rivers, Yemen depends heavily on rainfall and rapidly depleting groundwater.Rural communities are disproportionately affected by this water crisis. Over 14.5 million people in Yemen lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, the majority of whom live in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In villages like Saboon in Taiz, where Rana lives, people still fetch water from traditional wells, often walking long distances under harsh conditions. Without reliable infrastructure, these communities face recurring crop losses, land degradation, and limited economic opportunities. These factors push them further into poverty and heightened vulnerability. Women and girls bear the brunt of water scarcity, as they are typically responsible for collecting water. In some rural parts of Yemen, women and girls walk for hours each way to fetch water. This time-consuming task not only affects their health and safety but also contributes to high school dropout rates among girls and restricts women’s ability to participate in education, economic activities, or community decision-making. As Rana notes, “Water scarcity heavily affects us women. We walk long distances to collect water from old wells, which requires significant effort and time.” The burden of collecting water is physical, social, and economic - reinforcing cycles of inequality and vulnerability. Recognising this, the Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture (IWRM-ERA) and Food Security Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW, works to ensure the meaningful inclusion of women across all its activities. "As women, we participate in everything. From identifying community needs to planning and attending activities," shares Rana. “Conflicts over water access sometimes occur, especially when sources are scarce,” explains Rana. Indeed, research has indicated that 70–80 percent of all rural conflicts in Yemen are related to water. This high prevalence of water-related disputes underscores the vulnerability of communities already grappling with limited and unreliable water sources. Displacement and shifting rainfall patterns are all adding pressure on Yemen’s water supply networks, exacerbating Yemen’s decade-long conflict. Food security in Yemen is also deeply intertwined with water access. As of 2024, over 17 million Yemenis face acute food insecurity according to recent UN reports. This number rises during periods of drought or conflict. Poor water access limits what and how much farmers can grow. Crops fail more frequently, and livestock suffer, leading to lower food availability and higher prices. The reliance on inefficient irrigation systems and water-thirsty crops like qat further compounds the problem. Farmers like Rana are seeing progress from floodwater harvesting and small-scale infrastructure improvements, but the country urgently needs sustainable water solutions to stabilize food production. “UNDP’s IWRM-ERA Project implemented several interventions in our area, such as constructing retaining walls and improving water access. These walls help control floodwaters, preventing them from damaging farmlands. They also help us collect rainwater, which we use to irrigate trees and crops. This had led to noticeable growth in our trees and increased crop production,” explains Rana.Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of Yemen’s water crisis. Around 80% of Yemen’s population lives below the poverty line, and most of them depend on agriculture and natural resources for survival. In water-scarce regions, families face impossible choices between buying food, accessing water, or sending children to school. The IWRM-ERA Project provides critical support to these communities by constructing water infrastructure, training farmers - with extra efforts to reach women farmers, and introducing climate-resilient practices. “Since the land is now protected and water is available, agricultural yields have improved, and farmers' income has increased. Families are benefiting both nutritionally and economically by selling the surplus produce,” says Rana.These interventions offer a path forward, but long-term change in Yemen requires sustained investment in water governance, women’s empowerment, and rural development.

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Story

13 October 2025

FAO Yemen: Enhancing Livestock Resilience in Yemen: A Comprehensive Approach to Climate and Conflict Challenges

Yemen's Rural Communities Face Unprecedented ChallengesBetween 2020 and 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) implemented a multi-year initiative to strengthen the resilience of livestock-dependent communities across seven governorates in Yemen: Hajjah, Al-Hudaydah, Al-Mahwit, Saada, Lahj, Taiz, and Abyan.In a country where conflict, economic collapse, and climate shocks have combined to create one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, this intervention focused on protecting livestock, which serve as the cornerstone of rural livelihoods and food security for millions of Yemenis.Livestock Under ThreatExtreme heat, recurrent droughts, and flash floods have devastated grazing lands, depleted water sources, and reduced feed availability. Outbreaks of significant animal diseases, such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP), have further threatened livestock productivity and household incomes. Additionally, ongoing conflict has disrupted markets and veterinary services, leaving smallholder farmers without crucial support.In this context, FAO's intervention provided both immediate relief and long-term solutions to protect livestock health, enhance productivity, and build community resilience. A Comprehensive Approach to Climate-Resilient Livestock ManagementThe initiative followed a multi-phase, evidence-based methodology that combined humanitarian assistance with long-term climate adaptation strategies. The stages included:Assessment and Planning: FAO conducted in-depth needs assessments in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fish Wealth (MAIF), the Agriculture Research and Extension Authority (AREA), local NGOs, and communities. The assessments identified climate risks, mapped vulnerabilities, and recommended adaptation measures in areas dependent on livestock.Capacity Building:Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) were trained to diagnose, prevent, and report animal diseases. Farmers and pastoralists received training on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and sustainable rangeland management.Livestock Health and Nutrition:FAO led mass vaccination campaigns against PPR and SGP, and treatment against internal and external worms, distributed emergency feed, and promoted the cultivation of climate-resilient fodder crops.Water Management:Water harvesting structures were constructed to mitigate the impacts of drought and improve access to water for livestock.Women and Youth Empowerment:Training programs supported women and youth in dairy processing, cheese making, poultry production, and cooperative formation, creating new sources of income and enhancing gender inclusion.Monitoring and Accountability:Through third-party monitoring, FAO tracked progress on livestock health, productivity, and household resilience. A Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) ensures that community feedback informs project adaptations. From Anticipation to TransformationThe project integrated climate action across all stages of resilience building:Anticipation and Prevention: Climate risk mapping and early warning systems informed vaccination and feed distribution schedules.Shock Absorption: Vaccination, deworming, water harvesting, and fodder distribution helped households withstand climate shocks.Adaptation: Sustainable rangeland management, drought-tolerant breeds, and income diversification reduced vulnerability.Recovery: Emergency feed, veterinary kits, and mobile clinics supported recovery in crisis-affected areas.Transformation: FAO collaborated with national institutions to integrate livestock resilience into Yemen's Animal Health and Development Strategy, thus promoting long-term adaptation to climate change and conflict. Key Results and ImpactFAO's work yielded measurable improvements in food security, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability:Over 5 million livestock were vaccinated and treated, reducing disease outbreaks at a cost of about USD 0.50 per animal, saving the live of a goat or sheep worth USD 100. Household milk production increased by 25%, while income from livestock sales rose by 15%.Rangeland rehabilitation improved vegetative cover by up to 15% in targeted areas.Over 6,000 women were trained in livestock management and small-scale agribusiness, gaining both income and decision-making power.Strengthened social cohesion between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, reduced tensions linked to resource competition.Scaling Up SuccessFAO's climate-resilient livestock model is now being scaled across other regions in Yemen. This approach combines low-cost, locally adapted technologies with community-based service delivery, making it especially effective in fragile contexts with limited formal veterinary systems.Sustainability depends on continued collaboration with local authorities, inclusive participation, especially that of women, and flexible funding that bridges humanitarian responses and long-term development. By integrating climate risk management, gender inclusion, and community engagement, the initiative aims to secure a resilient future for Yemen's livestock-dependent communities.

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07 October 2025

WHO Yemen: Every Door Matters: Yemen’s fight for a polio-free future

Aden, Yemen In the heart of Aden’s Crater district, two young sisters — Nehal, just 11 months old, and Nuha, 3 years old, received their polio vaccines as part of Yemen’s nationwide campaign to protect every child. Their mother welcomed the health worker with quiet relief. In a world full of uncertainty, safeguarding her daughters felt like a promise fulfilled.Across Yemen, families are opening their doors in a powerful act of hope. On the other side stands a health worker, ready to deliver two drops that could change a child’s life forever.For the health worker – Nagwa Ali – who knocked on Nehal and Nuha’s door, each child she vaccinates is part of a larger story. “Every door we knock on brings Yemen closer to a day without polio,” she says. Conflict, barriers to access and misinformation make it hard to reach every child but Yemen’s health workers, with the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) at their side, are finding ways to overcome the challenges. They travel far, reassure worried parents, and persist through every challenge.“No child should suffer a disease we know how to prevent. Together, we can make polio history,” says WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Syed Jaffer Hussain.Each time a child receive the vaccine Yemen moves closer to freedom from polio. Each knock on a door, each gentle conversation, each purple mark on a child’s finger is a step toward a healthier future. The vital support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) makes it possible to deliver vaccines to the most vulnerable communities of Yemen, keep cold-chain systems running despite difficult conditions, train and equip thousands of health workers and sustain the tireless campaigns that keep hope alive.With GPEI’s commitment and the unwavering determination of MoPHP, WHO and Yemen’s frontline vaccinators, the vision of a country free from polio is no longer distant. It is within reach for every child.

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07 October 2025

UNFPA Yemen: Yemen’s Invisible Crisis: A mental health emergency for women and girls

For over a decade, the women and girls of Yemen have endured relentless conflict, displacement, and climate shocks, plunging them into a profound mental health emergency that continues to escalate. Many have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, often becoming the sole providers for their families amid crushing poverty. This relentless turmoil has fueled severe mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Displacement has further exacerbated their suffering, severing vital social connections and leaving them isolated and vulnerable.Huda’s* story: A tragic loss amid dwindling supportHuda, a vibrant and ambitious young woman, was seven months pregnant with her second child when she tragically ended her own life. Despite her resilience, she had battled severe depression for years. When her father could no longer work, Huda was forced to become her family's sole breadwinner. Feeling anxious and isolated, she sought help at the UNFPA-supported specialized mental health centre in Dhamar Governorate, receiving medication and counselling. She was also referred to a UNFPA safe space for livelihood training, which led to her starting her own business selling incense and butter.Huda, who married at the age of 22, experienced an abusive relationship and eventually returned to her family home, where she gave birth to her first child. She continued to receive support at the mental health centre, confiding in a case manager about self-harm, and an attempt to harm her young son, who was fortunately saved by a neighbour. In April 2025, Huda was referred to a psychologist for therapy sessions but was told her medication could no longer be funded due to cuts. Upon hearing this, Huda broke down, screaming and trembling, showing signs of severe distress and self-harm. Her condition worsened significantly. One evening, a few weeks later, Huda sat in her room, watching her baby sleep peacefully, and in a devastating decision, decided to hang herself. The ripple effect: Mental health and well-being Displaced women in Yemen often live in overcrowded and unstable conditions, struggling to meet basic needs. This instability fuels anxiety and helplessness, making mental health support crucial for their survival and recovery. The economic devastation has also forced many women into poverty, bearing the immense burden of providing for their children, especially after losing primary breadwinners. Social isolation, a direct consequence of conflict and displacement, further compounds these challenges. A dire shortage: The state of mental healthcare in YemenMental healthcare in Yemen is critically scarce and highly stigmatized. Only 120,000 people have uninterrupted access to mental health services, with a mere 46 psychiatrists serving the entire country – a ratio of one psychiatrist for every 700,000 people. In 2025, an estimated 7 million people are grappling with psychological trauma and stress requiring specialized health support. UNFPA's urgent appeal: A call to actionOver the past six years, UNFPA, with funding from ECHO, European Union Humanitarian Aid, Canada, and Norway, has established six mental health centres in Yemen, and with the support of the Netherlands made psychotropic drugs available at local hospitals, which are accessed by women and girls in need in Yemen. By the end of March 2025, however, UNFPA was forced to reduce its humanitarian reproductive health and gender-based violence services by approximately 40 per cent. This means nearly 1.5 million women have lost access to life-saving services, and 300,000 women have lost access to prevention and treatment for gender-based violence. Ten women and girls’ safe spaces have closed, and over 400 staff working at these vital centres have lost their jobs. One of the six mental health centres has also shuttered. UNFPA stands with the women and girls of Yemen. We urgently call on the international community to increase funding for essential mental health and protection services to ensure that women and girls receive the services and support they need and deserve. UNFPA's 2025 appeal for Yemen, set at $70 million, has received only 36 percent of its target.*Name changed for privacy and protection.

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19 August 2025

IOM Yemen: Acts of Compassion: Nouf and Khalid Light the Way for Healing

By:Sahar Al-Shawafi | Graphic Design AssistantAyoub Al-Ahmadi | Senior Translation AssistantMa'rib, Yemen – Dr. Nouf moves briskly from patient to patient wearing her mask and gloves, with a stethoscope resting around her neck. Driven by her strong passion to help the vulnerable, she chose to work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the Migrant Response Point (MRP) in Ma'rib.Her journey into humanitarian work began after years of serving in hospitals in Aden, where she witnessed firsthand the struggles vulnerable communities face in accessing healthcare services.“In Aden, I worked at a private hospital,” Nouf recalls. “I found that many people couldn’t afford treatment. That reality pushed me to find a way to help those left behind.”At a certain point, she decided to relocate to Ma'rib, a city sheltering hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict and a key transit hub for migrants making the perilous journey from the Horn of Africa through Yemen.She had a clear goal in mind: to serve those who could not afford medical treatment—migrants, displaced people, and persons with disabilities.Nouf found her calling at the MRP, which provides primary healthcare services to vulnerable groups, especially people on the move.“Migrants who reach us are traumatized,” she explains. “Whether it’s hunger, fear of death, or the unknown, it results in physical, psychological, or neurological shocks.”Many arrive with serious, sometimes permanent, injuries. Women in particular often carry visible and invisible scars from abuse suffered along irregular migration routes into the country. “There are times when I emotionally struggle with what I see and hear,” she admits. “But helping these people and watching them recover fuels my passion and determination to continue.” Nouf listens to their stories—the pain, the fear, the resilience—and does everything she can to help. She assesses each case, provides emergency support, and when needed, refers patients to specialized services.“At the MRP we provide treatment for contagious diseases as well as care for physical and psychological traumas.” she clarifies. “We also offer protection services for survivors and victims who experienced violence, exploitation and abuse and refer patients with severe conditions to tertiary healthcare facilities as needed.” Dr. Nouf is not alone in this mission of saving lives and helping fellow human beings. She works together with a dedicated team of colleagues from diverse backgrounds who tirelessly attend to numerous patients each day.Among those working alongside Nouf is Khalid, a 22-year-old Ethiopian whose own migration journey to Ma'rib is a testament to resilience and compassion.Khalid arrived in Yemen in 2021, heartbroken after his school in Ethiopia refused to let him return due to illness-related absence.Frustrated, he left Ethiopia with smugglers, enduring a grueling ten-day trek through the desert and surviving on shared biscuits. Upon reaching Aden, he found no comfort or assistance. So, he continued his journey to Ma'rib where some of his relatives live.In Ma'rib, Khalid was welcomed by his community. They brought him clothes and hosted him. A month later, he began working as a cleaner at a local hospital, a job he held for three years.At the hospital, Khalid encountered other migrants seeking treatment and advocated for their care. He spoke with administrators, urging them to treat these vulnerable individuals for free. His reputation grew, and soon, anyone in need turned to Khalid for help.“I help other migrants because I’ve been through the same experience,” Khalid says. “I know how support can make the suffering less.”Eventually, Khalid received the opportunity to work in the MRP, where he can help migrants access services and provide translation support. “People arrive here suffering from poor nutrition, amoebiasis and malaria. Some bear physical injuries caused during torture for ransom at the hands of traffickers,” Khalid explains.Nouf and Khalid choose to see, to listen, and to act. Through their work at the MRP in Ma'rib, they continue to deliver life-saving assistance to migrants and Yemenis in need.“I am thankful to the donors who keep this facility running. It save lives every day through vital healthcare services,” Khalid concludesThe IOM MRP in Ma'rib is supported by the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).#WorldHumanitarianDay2025#WHD2025

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Press Release

01 October 2025

IOM Yemen: KOICA and IOM Strengthen Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Through Water for Peace Project in Hadramout

Tarim and Sayoun, HadramoutWith generous support from The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA),the International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with local authorities and the local communities strengthen climate resilience, improve livelihoods and secure water access for vulnerable communities in Hadramout through the “Water for Peace in Yemen” project.Launched in September 2023, the project combines community-led and -owned solutions to conflict, livelihoods activities, flood risk reduction and floodwater irrigation infrastructure, and a new hybrid solar power system to help farming communities access water, protect communities and land, improve access to drinking and domestic water for the local population and reduce fossil fuel dependency. “The current crisis in Hadramout has affected water supply infrastructure, but these projects ease the burden on local authorities and strengthen our ability to protect and expand services. It is a huge step toward peace in the area,” said Amer Al-Ameri, Deputy Governor of Hadramout.To safeguard farmland and homes in Hadramout Alwadi, IOM and KOICA supported the construction and rehabilitation of 54 water infrastructure projects including adaptive flood risk mitigation measures and enhancements to the the floodwater irrigation systems. These include gabion check dams, gabion/masonry walls and barriers, surface bridge across flood pathway, and floodwater irrigation structures that together reduce flood risks, improve irrigation, and increase agricultural productivity. Around 180,000 people will benefit from these interventions, with improved soil quality across many farmlands.Hundreds of men and women were engaged in cash-for-work activities, giving vulnerable families short-term income opportunities to be able to meet their immediate needs while contributing to the protection and recovery of their communities. Local community members played a vital role in removing invasive sesbania trees from farmland, restoring irrigation channels, and building essential flood mitigation structures. “It really encourages me to work and plant more when I see the land and farms clean after the community removed sesbania trees and other invasive plants,” said Awad Saeed, a farmer from Mashta, Tarim.A core activity of the project is the installation of a new hybrid solar power station at the Tarim water field in Dammon. The system features 880 solar panels generating 629 kilowatts per hour, enough to power 11 boreholes producing 820 cubic meters of water per hour. This has secured safe drinking water for 115,000 people today, with capacity to serve up to 180,000 in the future. To ensure long-term sustainability and reduce tensions over scarce water resources, the project strengthened Community Resolution Committees (CRCs) and Water Users’ Working Groups (WWUGs) in Tarim and Sayoun. These inclusive, community-led bodies bring together farmers, local leaders, and water users to address shared challenges, manage water allocation equitably amongst various groups, and resolve disputes peacefully without formal legal escalation.Through training in negotiation, resource management, and participatory decision-making, the CRCs and WWUGs are enabling communities to take greater ownership of water governance. Their efforts go beyond preventing conflicts; they also foster cooperation and trust, contributing to stability and resilience across Hadramout.With the replacement of expensive fossil fuels, the solar power plant is expected to save 258,535 liters of diesel every year and reduce carbon emissions by 690 tons annually, directly contributing to global climate goals. The project also introduced new and advanced monitoring systems, including SCADA technology for real-time monitoring and control, and an automatic cleaning robot for the solar panels, enhancing efficiency. In addition, 30 personnel from the Local Water and Sanitation Corporation received training in water management and renewable energy systems to strengthen their capacity to operate and maintain the whole system.“This project’s success demonstrates the power of partnership and collective action. Together, we are advancing towards a more resilient and peaceful future,” said Katja Juric, IOM Senior Field and Programmes Coordinator.“KOICA is proud to partner with IOM on the Water for Peace project, which strengthens community resilience and promotes stability through enhanced water infrastructure, renewable energy, and flood protection in Hadramout. This initiative improves the quality of life for thousands of people while advancing and promoting peace. We remain committed to support initiatives that address urgent humanitarian needs and foster long-term development in Yemen,” said Ms. Soyoung Kim, Country Director of KOICA.By combining renewable energy, flood protection, and livelihood support with community-led and -owned conflict resolution, the “Water for Peace in Yemen” project helps communities to strengthen resilience to climate shocks but also reduces risk of displacement and tensions over already scarce resources, ultimately laying the foundations for long-term recovery and durable solutions.For media inquiries, please contact:IOM Yemen Communications Team – iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int

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Press Release

30 September 2025

WHO, UNICEF and MoPHP launch a second round of polio vaccination in Government of Yemen-controlled areas

30 September 2025, Aden, Yemen The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) successfully launched the second round of the polio vaccination campaign across 12 GoY controlled governorates. The 3-day campaign, running from 29 September to 1 October 2025, aims to immunize over 1.3 million children under 5 against poliovirus.This second round follows the first nOPV2 campaign in July 2025 and forms part of Yemen’s urgent response to the ongoing circulation of variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). As of week 38 of 2025, 29 confirmed variant poliovirus type 2 have been reported in 28 children in the north and one in the south. Since 2021, Yemen has recorded 451 cases, the vast majority (96%) among children under 5. Environmental surveillance continues to detect poliovirus in sewerage water, underscoring the need for repeated vaccination rounds to halt the circulation of the virus.“With the support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), this second round is crucial for closing immunity gaps and moving Yemen closer to stopping poliovirus transmission," said WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Syed Jaffer Hussain. “Working alongside the Ministry of Public Health and Population, UNICEF and our partners, WHO is committed to reaching every child, including those in the most vulnerable communities”This campaign will be implemented by a network of around 15,000 health workers inmobile door-to-door teamsand at fixed sites in health facilities. Nearly 1,000 supervisors, from Government and partner agencies, will provide supervision for the campaign.“Every child in Yemen deserves protection from preventable diseases such as polio,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Yemen. “This campaign brings vaccines to doorsteps, health centers and remote communities, ensuring that even the most vulnerable children receive the protection they urgently need."WHO and UNICEF, key partners in GPEI, are providing unwavering support to the Government of Yemen as it works to eradicate polio and bolster routine immunization. Continued, synchronized investment is essential to achieve full coverage and ensure no child is left behind.About WHO
Since 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been the United Nations agency dedicated to advancing health for all, so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, direct and coordinate the world’s responses to health emergencies and connect nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit http://www.unicef.org/yemenMedia contacts
WHO Yemen Communications: mediayemen@who.int UNICEF Yemen Communications: yemenmedia@unicef.org

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Press Release

25 September 2025

IOM and KSrelief Launch USD 4.45 Million Projects to Improve Water and Education Services in Yemen

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 23 September – The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has partnered with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to launch two major humanitarian projects in Yemen, with a total budget of USD 4.45 million. The projects will expand access to clean water and improve education services for communities affected by crises, underscoring KSrelief’s dedication to reducing the suffering of the Yemeni people.The first project, valued at USD 2.25 million, will improve access to safe water supply services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in Ma’rib. The project will drill a new borehole, install a hybrid pumping unit, construct multiple 200m³ elevated tanks, and lay over 10 km of new water pipelines. Two water desalination plants will also be established, and existing water systems in Ben Aboud Neighborhood will be rehabilitated. To ensure sustainability, WASH Committees and local authorities will receive training in system management and maintenance.The second project, worth USD 2.2 million, will support the continuity of education services in Aden, Lahj, and Ta’iz governorates. By rehabilitating and enhancing the capacity of 12 schools, the intervention will provide safe and adequate learning spaces for displaced, returnee, and host community children, helping to reduce overcrowding and social tensions.“KSrelief is focused on practical, lasting solutions that uphold the dignity of Yemeni families. By replacing costly water trucking with permanent water systems in Ma’rib and rehabilitating schools in Aden, Lahj, and Ta’iz, we are investing in resilience and in a better future for the next generation.” stated Dr. Hana Omer, Director of Partnerships and International Relations Department, KSrelief. “Our partnership with IOM ensures these services are delivered efficiently and sustainably, in close coordination with local authorities and communities.”In conflict-battered Yemen, millions of people need assistance amid economic decline and repeated displacement. Access to safe water remains a critical challenge, particularly in governorates such as Ma’rib. At the same time, years of conflict have damaged or destroyed much of the country’s education infrastructure, leaving children without safe and adequate learning spaces.“KSrelief’s timely support enables IOM to deliver life-saving water services to displaced families in Ma’rib and to grant thousands of children better education environments across three governorates. These two initiatives are vital to help vulnerable communities restore normalcy to their lives, after years of living in dire situations,” said Othman Belbeisi, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, IOM.KSrelief remains one of Yemen’s leading humanitarian donors, supporting people across the country through interventions in health, shelter, food security, WASH, and education. This new funding builds on KSrelief’s sustained efforts to ease suffering and promote recovery in Yemen, which continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.For media inquiries, please contact:IOM Yemen Communications Team – iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int

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Press Release

04 September 2025

IOM Yemen: KSrelief and IOM Boost Sanitation and Waste Management Services for Over 185,000 People in Ma’rib

Ma’rib, Yemen — September 2025 The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with generous support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), has completed a year-long project to improve sanitation infrastructure and solid and liquid waste management services for over 185,000 people in Ma’rib Governorate, home to Yemen’s largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs).The project addressed urgent sanitation gaps in displacement sites and host communities, benefiting 44,119 IDPs, 2,937 host community members, while strengthening the capacity of Ma’rib’s public environmental health authority, the Hygiene Improvement Fund (HIF), to manage waste services sustainably.Key achievements include the construction of 200 new household latrines with integrated handwashing units, rehabilitation of 600 cesspits in Ma'rib Alwadi and in the city, provision of three garbage trucks and three vacuum trucks to HIF, improvement of Ma’rib’s central fecal waste dumping site, and interim desludging and solid waste collection services across 19 displacement sites.

Poor sanitation accounts for the majority of the root causes of cholera outbreaks, malnutrition, and diarrheal diseases. Ma'rib has been one of Yemen's cholera hotspots in recent years, where overcrowding and poor sanitation have accelerated the spread of disease. Through the construction of new latrines, sealing and repairing of damaged cesspits, and introducing covered pits to enable safe desludging, this project has played a vital role in reducing the threat of waterborne disease, cholera containment, and promoting overall public health in both displacement camps and host communities.

“The project has provided us with essential equipment and expanded our services, which were urgently needed. However, it does not fully solve the problem — far greater resources and sustained funding are required to meet the ongoing needs of both displaced and host communities,” said Awaad Abdulraqeeb, an official with the Hygiene Improvement Fund
The intervention also integrated protection measures, including interior locks, lighting, and gender-sensitive design for latrines, and prioritized vulnerable households such as female-headed families, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, and households with pregnant or lactating women.

“The project has been deeply rewarding. Hearing from the community, especially the most vulnerable households, that they feel their dignity has been restored is the greatest measure of success for us,” said Ammar Taher, IOM WASH engineer.IOM, as part of the broader humanitarian community in Yemen, will continue to build the capacity of local and national partners to support a sustainable response by carrying out interventions in close coordination and consultation with relevant authorities and, in targeted communities, by encouraging community participation to foster intervention ownership and sustainability.

The project is part of IOM’s progressive strategy to reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance, by providing essential equipment to the Hygiene Improvement Fund to carry out waste collection services in the long term.A rapid population growth in Ma’rib since the start of the conflict, rising from an estimated 350,000 residents in 2015 to over 2 million in 2023, including more than 1.6 million IDPs. The scale of displacement has placed a huge strain on water access, sanitation, and hygiene services, with 9.6 million individuals across Yemen lacking access to improved sanitation, according to the 2024 Humanitarian Needs Overview.

For more information, please contact:IOM Yemen Communications Team, iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int

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