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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Story

13 August 2025

UNDP Yemen: Made in Yemen - Youth innovate with local solutions built to last

In Yemen, where years of conflict and economic turbulence have left 32% of young people without work, opportunity is often out of reach. But in the face of scarcity, a generation of entrepreneurs is stepping forward to transform market gaps into thriving businesses that educate children, empower women, advance clean energy, and open doors to the tech economy.Through the Emergency Social Protection Enhancement and COVID-19 Response Project (ESPECRP) – supported by the World Bank’s IDA and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS) – youth receive the training, seed capital, and mentorship required to move their ideas from concept to community impact. To date, 283 youth have completed technical training, and sixty-nine have already received grants and business assets to begin operations.On this International Youth Day, we are celebrating Shadia and Fatima, who are reimagining early childhood learning and natural beauty products; Ibrahim, who is building a solar panel maintenance service; and Yasser, who is training a new wave of robotics and renewable energy innovators. Together, they are proving that with the right support, Yemen’s young people will innovate towards a brighter future. Closing gaps with creativityShadia’s business began with a missing piece: there were almost no locally made educational toys in Yemen. While visiting classrooms, she saw teachers struggling to find affordable, developmentally appropriate materials. Imports were scarce and expensive, leaving educators to improvise with what they had on hand. Alongside her business partner, Fatima, she launched Dorri, a youth-led enterprise that creates sensory learning toys from fabric and wood. Each one is designed to spark curiosity and support early childhood development. Today, Dorri’s products are used in dozens of kindergartens. Not only have they reduced the need for importing goods; they are also embedding local culture into learning. “Now we have high-quality educational toys made by our own youth,” says Asma, a kindergarten principal in Sana’a. “It brings pride and purpose into our classrooms.” Fatima, too, built her company from a gap she could no longer ignore. As a haircare specialist in Aden, she saw the harmful effects of chemical-heavy products and the absence of safe, natural alternatives. Drawing on Yemeni traditions, she created Tamz Beauty, which offers oils, soaps, and skincare made from local ingredients like sidr, sesame, and henna. What began with a single jar has grown into a multi-product line, employing women in every stage of production – from sourcing ingredients with local farmers to packaging and distribution. As demand has grown, Fatima has invested in equipment to expand production while minimizing waste. Tamz Beauty now reaches customers nationwide and is creating livelihoods for women who sell the products in their communities. Innovating for everyday needsIbrahim’s innovation came from listening to his customers. While working as a solar installer, he kept hearing the same complaint: performance dropped after installation. The problem was not with the equipment; it was with the lack of maintenance. Dust buildup was cutting efficiency, and no one was offering a solution.His answer was Solar Care, a solar panel cleaning and maintenance service. Using dry-cleaning tools instead of water, the process is both safer for the equipment and more sustainable in Yemen, where water scarcity is severe. “This avoids damage and reduces waste,” Ibrahim explains. From a one-man service, Ibrahim’s business has grown to include installation, inspection, and ongoing maintenance for homes and small businesses. His team can clean up to six hundred panels in four hours, boosting system efficiency and the reliability of household energy. The business has not only stabilized Ibrahim’s own income but created jobs for other young technicians. For Yasser, inspiration took root in childhood. Fascinated by electronics, he spent years exploring circuits, robotics, and renewable energy, and would teach himself skills that were not offered in local schools. Today, he runs a training center that delivers courses in industrial automation, control systems, and clean energy to students ranging from middle schoolers to university graduates. Some of them have gone on to open their own centers and are creating a ripple effect of knowledge. His programmes now include robotics, app development, and artificial intelligence – skills that connect Yemen’s youth to both local opportunities and the global digital economy. “Young people are hungry for this kind of knowledge,” Yasser says. “Even young women are entering the field of robotics and automation. The mindset is changing.” A shared path forwardWhile their products differ, from handcrafted toys to maintaining solar panels, these entrepreneurs share a common approach: start with a real need, create a local solution, and build it to last. Their work provides necessary products, strengthens education, lowers household costs, and makes innovation accessible to more people. “When young people take the lead,” says Asma, “everyone gains – children, families, schools, and entire communities.”These are not isolated wins; they are the foundation for long-term, community-driven progress. And in a country where challenges can feel unending, the success of Yemen’s young entrepreneurs is a reminder that when opportunity meets determination, positive change is not only possible, but also inevitable.#InternationalYouthDay 2025#IYD2025

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Story

12 August 2025

UNHCR Yemen: For Yemen’s Refugee Youth, Hope Is a Skill: Sabreen and Eman’s Story

On International Youth Day, UNHCR celebrates the courage, creativity, and determination of young refugees who are building brighter futures for themselves and their communities — even in the world’s toughest places.In a small room on the edge of Sana’a, two Somali sisters are showing what’s possible when youth are given a chance. Sabreen, 25, and Eman, 22, are not only rebuilding their lives after displacement — they’re helping to heal a community, stitch by stitch, skill by skill.“I have big dreams for the future — and one day, I’m going to achieve them.”— SabreenYemen’s young people have grown up surrounded by crisis. Protracted conflict, economic collapse, and underfunded aid have left millions struggling to survive — including more than 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers who have sought safety from violence in Somalia, Ethiopia, and beyond.But young refugees like Sabreen and Eman are proving that even in the most challenging conditions, hope — and change — are possible.After fleeing Somalia as a baby, Sabreen grew up in Yemen. The family’s world was shaken again in 2021 when their father died suddenly, leaving their mother as sole provider. Sabreen turned to university studies in translation; Eman pursued her interest in health and beauty care.Determined to serve others, the sisters and a friend opened a small clinic — Flex Yemen — using skills from a six-month nursing diploma. They treated neighbors, assisted in childbirths, and became a trusted presence in their community. “We didn’t have fancy certificates on the wall,” says Eman. “But we had knowledge, compassion, and the will to help.”Despite their impact, the sisters faced relentless challenges: discrimination, financial hardship, and repeated relocations. Eventually, rising costs forced the clinic to close. But Sabreen and Eman didn’t stop. They continued making house calls, supporting neighbors, and generating income through Eman’s beauty skills.A turning point occurred when the sisters enrolled in vocational training courses offered by UNHCR and its partners. These programmes, vital for both refugees and Yemenis, helped them earn income, build confidence, and shape new dreams.“Without those six months of training, we wouldn’t have had food on the table,” Eman says. “They gave us more than skills — they gave us dignity.”In 2024 alone, over 600 refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen benefited from UNHCR-supported livelihoods programmes.As International Youth Day is observed around the world, Sabreen and Eman serve as proof that when young people are empowered, entire communities are uplifted. Sabreen hopes to work as a translator for a humanitarian agency; Eman dreams of opening her own beauty salon. Above all, they want their mother to rest, knowing her daughters are safe. “I want other refugee girls to know: you are stronger than you think,” says Sabreen.This International Youth Day, UNHCR calls for sustained support for refugee youth — ensuring they have the education, skills, and opportunities to shape a better future for all. #InternationalYouthDay2025#IYD2025

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Story

09 August 2025

UNICEF Yemen: Shadiah’s Journey: A Mother’s Fight for Survival in Rural Yemen

In the rugged mountains of Taiz, where roads are more than rocky trails and healthcare is hours away, life is a daily struggle. The United Nations estimates that over half of Yemen’s population - more than 19 million people- need humanitarian assistance. For mothers like Shadiah, the challenges are immense.Shadiah is a young woman from the remote village of Azzitan in Taiz, where “everything is far- the road, the hospital, everything.” When she became pregnant, her joy was overshadowed by fear. “I was worried every day,” she recalls. “If I hadn’t gone to the hospital as Bardees recommended, I would have died.”Before the community health worker, Bardees arrived, Shadiah and her neighbors had little knowledge about health or hygiene. “Before Bardees, we didn’t know how to care for ourselves nor for our children. We didn’t know what to do if we got sick,” she says.“Before Bardees, we didn’t know how to care for ourselves nor for our children. We didn’t know what to do if we got sick,” Shadiah says.A Pregnancy Filled with UncertaintyShadiah’s pregnancy was marked by uncertainty and isolation. “I had no one to ask about my health,” she explains. “I did not know what to eat or what to do. My family did not know either. People here don’t go to school. We are uneducated.”In her village, many women give birth at home, without professional medical help. “No one can reach the hospital quickly here. If one gets sick at night, they will have to wait until morning,” she says. The harsh environment only adds to the struggle: “the road is so rough, and it takes hours to walk anywhere. If you are pregnant, you cannot walk far. If you are sick, it is even harder.”Shadiah’s story is not unique. Across Yemen, thousands of women and children face the same risks every day. Bardees Brings Hope and KnowledgeWhen Bardees, a trained and deployed community health worker, started visiting Shadiah’s village, everything began to change. Bardees’ visits were more than just medical check-ups. She educated Shadiah and other women about hygiene, breastfeeding, and the importance of vaccinations. “She came every week when I was pregnant. She continued to do the same after I gave birth. She checked my blood pressure, told me what to eat. We did not even know how to wash our hands properly. Now, we know how to keep ourselves and our children safe from diseases.” Bardees became Shadiah’s lifeline. A Race Against TimeDays after Shadiah gave birth, she began to feel very ill. “I had a high fever and my head was spinning,” she says. Bardees arrived quickly and recognized the danger. “She told me: ‘you need to go to the health center now. You could die if you wait.” With Bardees’ help, Shadiah was taken to the nearest health center, hours away.At the center, Shadiah received urgent care. “The doctors helped me and my baby,” she says. “They gave me medicine and watched over me. I was so relieved.” Thanks to the quick action of Bardees and the health workers, Shadiah and her baby survived. Community Health Workers Network: A Life-Saving Initiative for Mothers and ChildrenUNICEF supported the establishment of the network in partnership with Yemen’s Health authorities. Both organizations recognized the initiative’s potential to restore the structure of the country’s health system and improve life for thousands of mothers and children living in hard-to-reach areas. An early priority was to ensure the mobility of community health workers and the accessibility of primary health services in 108 rural districts. Today, each community health worker is responsible for providing services to around 1,000 people at their homes.Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in strengthening Yemen’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemic threats. Their work is central to reinforcing disease prevention, detection, and early warning systems at the community level, helping to identify potential outbreaks early and report them through established health channels.Community health workers network is part of a broader effort to enhance multisectoral workforce capacities, including training and equipping them to respond effectively during health emergencies. The Power of Donors: Saving Lives in Remote YemenThis story is a powerful testament to the impact of donor support. As Bardees explains, “Regarding this project, it is considered the only hope in these remote areas where people cannot reach clinics or hospitals.” She adds, “Regarding the network of health workers, we are the first line of defense, and here we are the unknown soldiers in these areas where help does not reach.”Thanks to funding from the World Bank, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the European Union, the Pandemic Fund, Denmark, and Canada for these projects, UNICEF can continue to support the expansion of basic healthcare services for children and women in Yemen’s most remote communities.A Hopeful FutureShadiah’s story is a reminder that even in the most remote corners of the world, compassion and commitment can save lives—and that every mother deserves the chance to raise her child in health and dignity. “I am alive today because of the help I received,” Shadiah says. “My child is alive because someone cared. Thank you for not forgetting us.”

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Story

03 August 2025

UNFPA Yemen: “Now I know I have a future”: Safe spaces work with health centres to save women’s lives in Yemen

AL MAHRAH/MARIB GOVERNORATES, Yemen – In a rural corner of Al Wadi District in Yemen’s eastern Marib Governorate, Salwa* was forced into marriage at just 17 years old. Salwa had to abandon her education and quickly became pregnant. But instead of care, she was met with physical abuse and neglect from her older and unemployed husband. Trapped by fear of stigma and a culture that usually places blame on survivors, she endured the abuse.But while pregnant, she joined a group of neighbours attending an awareness session on women’s rights at a safe space for women and girls run by Human Access with the support of UNFPA. The women were provided with knowledge, support and awareness on human rights – specifically that gender-based violence is never acceptable, and that help is available.“Today, I know I have rights,” Salwa told UNFPA. “I know I have a future – and I’m not afraid anymore.” Salwa received psychosocial support, medical care and services to protect her from her husband. She was also referred to Al-Wehda Hospital in Marib Governorate for antenatal care. But when it came time to give birth, her pregnancy took a dangerous turn. Due to her young age, she experienced prolonged labour, followed by severe uterine prolapse – a painful condition that can cause serious health complications. “I was so scared. I didn’t understand what was happening to my body,” she told UNFPA. “I thought I was going to die.”Thanks to close coordination between the safe space and the hospital, she was admitted for surgery in time to protect both her immediate recovery and long-term reproductive health. “The staff at the safe space stood by my side – they saved my life and gave me hope again,” said Salwa, who has now left her husband and is living with her parents. “They didn’t treat me as just another case, but as a human being who deserves care and support.” From despair to dignity in Al MahrahIn the southern Al Mahrah Governorate, 25-year-old Laila*, a pregnant mother of two, had been displaced by the war. Living in dire poverty, she, too, suffered constant abuse at the hands of her husband. Exhausted, traumatized and malnourished, she had a miscarriage at five months pregnant. Bleeding heavily, she made it to a UNFPA-supported safe space for women and girls operated by Human Access, where she was referred to the UNFPA-supported Al Ghaydah Central Hospital. There she received emergency medical care that saved her life and protected her reproductive health.“If it weren’t for the safe space, I wouldn’t have known what to do or where to go. They were my only refuge – they supported me medically and emotionally, and stood by me when everyone else disappeared,” she said. Like Salwa, Laila’s healing extended far beyond physical care. She too received emotional and psychological support, including listening sessions and help in developing a personal safety plan. A skilled seamstress, she was also encouraged to resume her work as a way to support herself and her family; the displacement and deterioration of her mental and physical health had caused her to lose confidence in herself and she had stopped practicing her trade.“I thought I was alone in my miserable world,” said Laila. “But here, I felt someone truly cares. They saved me from death, from fear and from myself.”When services come togetherUNFPA’s integrated model of care is a survivor-centred approach that combines gender-based violence protection, mental health support, and reproductive health services.Gender inequality and power imbalances are an underlying cause of violence against women and girls, and communities also frequently lack awareness of reproductive health services. Providing these together not only encourages people who may otherwise hesitate to seek help, it is a cost-effective intervention that empowers communities and fosters leadership.“It wasn’t just one service that saved me – it was all of them,” said Salwa. “I am grateful they gave me a second chance at life.” Underfunding threatens the lives of millionsThe facilities Laila and Salwa attended are supported by the governments of Austria and Norway as well as the European Union’s humanitarian office. But as funding dwindles globally, some 1.5 million women and girls in Yemen have lost access to life-saving services this year alone. Among them are around 300,000 women who can no longer reach safe shelter, psychosocial support, referrals to health centres and legal aid. Untold numbers of young girls have been left even more vulnerable to gender-based violence, including child marriage.“I’m trying to get back on my feet and live again, but there are many other women who are still in desperate need – maybe even more than I was,” Laila told UNFPA. “Keeping these spaces running means keeping so many women alive, especially in a conflict that has gone on for too long. Many of us have lost our breadwinners and have become both mothers and fathers. We just need someone to stand with us — not to leave us alone.”So far this year, UNFPA has had to cease supporting 44 health facilities, 10 women and girls’ safe spaces, one mental health centre and 14 mobile reproductive health and protection teams in the most remote and underserved areas. UNFPA has appealed for $70 million for Yemen in 2025; so far just one third has been funded. *Names changed for privacy and protection

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Story

29 July 2025

UNFPA Yemen: The Power of Partnerships: Saving Lives in Yemen

AL Hudayday, Yemen Zainab, 28, from Al Khokha district, was malnourished and anemic for the entirety of the first two trimesters of her fourth pregnancy, causing serious and potentially life-threatening complications. “I was afraid I wouldn’t survive pregnancy,” she recounts. “But the timely care I received at the health centre saved me and my unborn child.” After more than a decade of severe crisis, people in Yemen are facing what may be their toughest year yet. Conflict, economic collapse and climate shocks continue to drive humanitarian needs. Aid is drying up due to severe funding cuts, and nearly half of the population in southern governorate areas of the country are acutely hungry – including around 1.5 million pregnant and breastfeeding women who are currently suffering from acute malnutrition. The healthcare system has also been pushed to breaking point. Only one in five functioning health facilities can provide maternal and child health services, and there is a dire shortage of specialized female doctors and nurses, medical supplies, as well as limited access to services, reflected in high maternal mortality. A woman dies every two hours from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes that are largely preventable with access to skilled care.A lifeline in a crisisAs Zainab’s complications worsened in her seventh month, she found a lifeline at Al Khokha Health Centre, a vital community hub supported by UNFPA with financial assistance from European Union Humanitarian aid, that sees around 150 people a day. Here, an experienced all-female medical team, including a trained midwife, welcomed her. She received iron supplements and personalized counseling on hygiene and nutrition. The severity of Zainab’s condition necessitated a referral to Hays Rural Hospital, another facility supported by the European Union, offering more specialized and surgical care. Crucially, Zainab received cash to cover her transport to the hospital, a cost she couldn't afford. At the hospital, she underwent a caesarean section and delivered safely. Following the birth, Zainab returned to the Al Khokha Centre for postnatal care, participating in sessions on breastfeeding and family planning to safeguard her own health and that of her newborn.The profound impact of this support extended to Zainab’s husband. Previously hesitant to seek skilled care for his wife during childbirth, he has now become a strong advocate, actively encouraging other men in the village to utilize these essential health services with their wives.The threat of funding cutsWhile stories like Zainab’s highlight the critical importance of sustained support, a looming crisis threatens these hard-won gains. Due to funding cuts, UNFPA has already had to withdraw vital support to health facilities and mobile teams that reached women and girls in some of the remotest areas of Yemen, as well as midwives. Around 1.5 million women and girls have already lost access to life-saving services. Broader reductions in aid could see more than 700 health centres close in the country and nearly 7 million people denied access to life-saving care. Zainab’s story could have ended in tragedy. Instead, it has become a story of survival, resilience, and community transformation, thanks to the strong partnership between UNFPA and the European Union. Since 2018, the European Union's support has been pivotal in strengthening emergency obstetric and maternal health care at 52 health facilities across Yemen, addressing the maternity needs of millions of women and saving thousands of lives during childbirth.

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Press Release

05 August 2025

IOM Yemen: Statement by the IOM Spokesperson on the Loss of Dozens of Lives in Migrant Boat Tragedy off Yemen

Geneva/ Sanaa, 5 August 2025 — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of life after a vessel carrying 200 migrants capsized off the coast of Shuqrah, in Yemen’s Abyan Governorate on 3 August. At least 56 people are reported dead, 14 of them female, with many of the victims believed to be Ethiopian nationals. The total number of those missing stands at 132. So far 12 survivors, all male, have been found.This heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need to address the dangers of irregular migration along the Eastern Route. Immediate lifesaving assistance and protection for vulnerable migrants must be prioritized, alongside targeted efforts to tackle the root causes of irregular migration. IOM urges stronger international and regional cooperation to prevent further loss of life by expanding safe and regular migration pathways, enhancing coordinated search and rescue efforts, protecting survivors, and supporting their safe, dignified return and sustainable reintegration in their countries of origin. We commend the local authorities for their swift response and reiterate our commitment to supporting ongoing interagency efforts to identify and assist survivors, recover bodies, and provide support to affected families. IOM is working with partners to mobilise resources and deliver humanitarian assistance to protect people on the move, as well as to support the government to respond to migration crisis. Since the beginning of 2025, IOM recorded more than 350 migrant deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route, although the actual figure is likely to be significantly higher Every life lost is a powerful reminder of the human toll of irregular migration – and of the urgent need for safe, regular pathways, strong protection systems, effective search and rescue operations, and accountability for smugglers and traffickers. For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre. 

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Press Release

20 July 2025

Yemen: FAO Initiative Brings Lifesaving Agriculture and Livestock Aid to Taiz

Taiz, YemenThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), funded by the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF), has launched an Emergency Agriculture and Livestock Support Project to address severe food insecurity and malnutrition in Taiz Governorate, where nearly 1.9 million people urgently need assistance, with many districts classified as IPC Phase 4 (Emergency).The project aims to provide vulnerable households in Al-Ma’afer, Jabal Habashi, and Maqbanah districts with critical agricultural and livestock inputs, complemented by unconditional cash assistance.During the launch event in Taiz City, H.E. Nabil Shamsan, Governor of Taiz, stated, “Agriculture is the backbone of livelihoods for most people in Taiz, and restoring this sector is essential for both our immediate food security and our long-term development.” He highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, noting, “This project is timely and necessary to help our farmers recover from the current crisis."Mr. Ahmed Al-Wahshi, representing the Ministry of Agriculture, reiterated the importance of the intervention: “Taiz is one of Yemen’s most important agricultural regions, and this intervention comes at a critical time. We are confident it will help improve food security and nutrition for thousands of vulnerable households.”Mr. Ali Galol, Head of FAO’s Aden Office, added, “With this project, FAO is working to address not only the immediate needs of vulnerable households but also to help them restore and protect their agriculture and livestock-based livelihoods.” He noted that the initiative will support 1,000 households and complements broader humanitarian efforts by other UN agencies.FAO expressed gratitude to OCHA and YHF for their generous support, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local authorities for the effective delivery of interventions in Taiz.

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Press Release

13 July 2025

IOM and Japan Launch New Project to Support Vocational Training for Youth and Displaced Communities in Yemen

Aden, Yemen – 13 July 2025 Amid ongoing economic hardship caused by over a decade of conflict in Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Government of Japan have signed a USD 2.49 million agreement to launch a new project that will support youth and internally displaced persons (IDPs) through vocational training opportunities.The project signing ceremony was hosted by H.E. Ambassador Yoichi Nakashima at the Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia and attended by H.E. Dr. Mansour Ali Bajash, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs at Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Through this initiative, six Technical and Vocational Training Centres (TVTCs) in conflict-affected governorates—Aden, Lahj, and Ta’iz—will be rehabilitated and equipped to meet the needs of students and the labour market. In response to the suspension of over 37 per cent of vocational specializations due to infrastructure damage, the project will restore or construct 48 classrooms, 31 workshops, 10 laboratories, and 13 administrative offices.To support the integration of the graduates into the labour market, 220 students will be selected and trained in high-demand livelihood and business skills that are essential for establishing sustainable income streams. Upon completion of the training, graduates will receive tailored start-up kits which include tools relevant to their vocational fields. These kits are designed to help graduates launch small businesses within their communities and allow them to put theory into practice.Since 2015, student enrollment in TVTCs has declined by approximately 55 per cent. This initiative will enable 3,000 individuals — including over 700 displaced persons — to return to the classroom and access high-quality, market-relevant vocational training.“This project will restore dignity and offer hope by equipping thousands of young people with the skills they need to build sustainable livelihoods,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen. “We are deeply grateful to the Government of Japan for its continued commitment to Yemen’s stability and recovery”.To ensure inclusive and sustainable learning environments, the project will also provide capacity-building for TVTC instructors, install solar power systems in five of the six centres, and construct new water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities.With an estimated 19.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 17.1 million facing food insecurity in 2025, this initiative is expected to indirectly benefit more than 1.7 million people by expanding access to livelihoods, strengthening local economies, and fostering community cohesion.This project builds on a recently concluded USD 800,000 partnership between IOM and the Government of Japan, which improved access to healthcare, drinking water, and sanitation services for more than 33,000 people in Mokha, Al Khukhah, and Ta’iz.For more information, please contact:
IOM Yemen Communications Team: iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int

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Press Release

12 July 2025

WHO and UNICEF launch polio vaccination campaign targeting over 1.3 million children in Government of Yemen-controlled areas

12 July 2025, Aden, Yemen A new round of polio vaccination for children begins this week in Government of Yemen-controlled areas. The 3-day campaign, running from 12 to 14 July 2025, aims to boost population immunity in high-risk areas and prevent further spread of the virus by administering novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to more than 1.3 million children in 120 districts across 12 governorates. The intervention comes in response to cases in the community and the continued confirmed circulation of variant type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2) in environmental samples.“Yemen remains at high risk for poliovirus outbreaks due to protracted conflict, weakened health systems and low routine immunization coverage,” said Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ferima Coulbibaly-Zerbo. “With poliovirus continuing to circulate and cases confirmed in 2025, these campaigns are essential to interrupt transmission and protect every child from the debilitating effects of polio.”
Since 2021, Yemen has reported a total of 282 cVDPV2 cases across 122 districts in 19 of the country’s 22 governorates, with 98% of cases occurring in children under the age of 5. The overall epidemiological trend highlights the urgent need for nOPV-2 vaccine to halt cVDPV circulation in government-controlled governorates and protect children from the disease.The campaign is led by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).It will be carried out by almost 7,000 vaccination teams, including over 6,000 mobile door-to-door teams and 800 teams at health facilities. Nearly 2,000 team supervisors and 240 district-level supervisors will oversee the campaign, with technical support from national and partner agencies.“The campaign is an important and urgent step to protect children from being paralysed by the poliovirus. With confirmed cases of polio among Yemeni children, an imminent threat persists, especially for every unvaccinated child. But, through vaccination, we can keep our children safe,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen.WHO and UNICEF, as core partners of GPEI, are fully committed to supporting the Government of Yemen in its efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization services. Continued investment and coordinated action are essential to 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/yemen Media contactsWHO Yemen: mediayemen@who.int
UNICEF Yemen: yemenmedia@unicef.org

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Press Release

01 July 2025

The Water authorities of Taiz agree to cooperate across front line, Yemen Humanitarian Fund supports

Taiz, Yemen, 01 July 2025The Local Water and Sanitation Corporations (LWSC) in Taiz City and Al-Hawban have reached a technical agreement to jointly manage water supply systems - a step forward in restoring essential services in one of Yemen’s most water-stressed governorates, bringing relief to hundreds of thousands of people. This agreement would result in reconnecting water and sewage networks in Taiz Governorate, restoring essential services that have been disrupted for nearly a decade due to conflict and institutional fragmentation.The agreement builds on the sustained efforts of many organizations and donors who have contributed technically, financially, and through facilitation over the years. Key contributors include the Governments of Germany and the Netherlands, Generation without Qat, Humanitarian Development Program, CARE, OXFAM, Human Access, the Yemen Family Care Association, a number of UN agencies operating in Yemen, and others.To accelerate the availability of safe water in priority areas, the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) is investing 2 million USD to connect 90,000 of people including internally displaced persons (IDPs) to water networks, helping transition them out of humanitarian need and toward longer-term development.The United Nations commends the leadership of the water authorities in Taiz and calls on donors and partners to step up investments in water infrastructure to ensure over 600,000 people can access safe, reliable water and sewage systems.

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