IOM Yemen: Holding Onto Hope - The Unyielding Spirit of Ramadan in Yemen’s Displacement Camps

Ma’rib, Yemen 

For Salha, a mother of five who fled airstrikes near her home in Mar’ib’s Medghal district, Ramadan was once a time of peace, reflection, and unity. Before the conflict turned their lives upside down, her family lived off their small business, managing their daily needs and cherishing the special traditions of this holy month.

The shift from familiar routines to the harsh reality of displacement has stripped many families of the joy that once defined this sacred time. Salha remembers the first Ramadan in the camp as as one of the most difficult periods in her life. With no running water, she spent every morning collecting what her family needed, juggling the daily fight to survive with the desire to honour Ramadan. The sense of peace that once accompanied this month was replaced by constant worry and hardship. 

In war-torn Yemen, Ramadan arrives each year against a backdrop of growing adversity. The country’s decade-long conflict has left more than half of the population food insecure, with an estimated 17.1 million people struggling to access basic nutrition, according to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. 

For families in displacement sites, this month of fasting is marked not only by spiritual devotion but by the daily challenge of securing enough food to break their fast. With limited income and soaring food prices, the simple act of preparing Iftar – the evening meal that ends the day’s fast – has become a daunting task. 

In Saylat Almil camp, far from the comforts of Salha’s village, Ramadan traditions are a distant memory for many. Families scrape together whatever they can, with few income opportunities to rely on. For many, dates, rice and bread are often the only items on the table – if they’re lucky. 

“We used to do our grocery shopping a week before Ramadan. Now, we just make do with what little we have.” – Salha, Displaced Mother 

Daily Battles

Salha and her husband do their best to share the load during Ramadan, both trying to keep the family afloat. Every morning, her husband sets out early, hoping to find daily work that might cover their basic needs. But with wages scarce and inconsistent, he often comes home empty-handed and weighed down by growing debts. A simple visit to the market is filled with anxiety, making even basic ingredients feel out of reach. 

Back at the camp, Salha spends her day in a small tent that doubles as both kitchen and living space. Preparing Iftar is always a challenge, as she struggles to come up with a proper meal with only a few ingredients at hand. 

For many families, cooking in the same cramped space where they sleep poses constant risks. With no proper shelter arrangements, the risk of fire is always on their mind, especially during Ramadan. Preparing Sohoor – the pre-dawn meal – often means lighting stoves in the middle of the night while the children sleep just a few feet away from gas cylinders.

Community Safety Efforts

In Ma’rib alone, across 34 displacement sites managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), families live with the constant fear that one spark could trigger a devastating fire. Blazes have torn through crowded shelters before, making already difficult lives even harder. To help prevent this, IOM holds regular awareness sessions, teaching families, especially women, how to cook safely and handle stoves properly in these vulnerable conditions. 

Beyond awareness sessions, IOM trains fire wardens selected by the community, equipping them with the knowledge to respond quickly to emergencies and teach others about fire safety. Fire extinguishers are provided and regularly maintained to ensure they are ready for use when needed. Alongside fire prevention, IOM also supports displaced families with access to clean water, a resource that becomes even more essential during Ramadan. 

Despite the hardships of life in the camp, the spirit of Ramadan remains strong. Families come together to share what little they have, gathering for communal Iftars where each household brings a dish. As the sun sets and the call to prayer echoes across the camp, men, women, and children line up at the mosque for Tarawih, the special evening prayers held during Ramadan. 

After prayers, the sense of community grows even stronger. Families gather to recite verses from the Holy Quran, finding both purpose and joy in these shared moments. For Salha and many others, this spiritual connection is a vital source of strength. 

“We pray for the conflict to end and to return home, where Ramadan can be properly honoured.” – Salha, Displaced Mother

Traditions Hold Strong

As the sweltering midday heat settles over the camp, daily activities come to a halt. Families retreat into their tents, conserving energy until the sun begins to set. Yet, despite the weight of their struggles, the youth in the camp refuse to let the joy of Ramadan fade away. With few resources, they organize nightly football tournaments, and carrom and card games, transforming the dusty, desert land into a space filled with laughter and friendly competition. 

To help strengthen the bonds between displaced families and the host community, IOM supports recreational events planned by community committees, allowing the spirit of camaraderie and enthusiasm to carry on beyond Ramadan and into the rest of the year. In a place where opportunities are scarce, these simple moments of play bring a sense of normalcy, especially for the younger generation.

Enduring Spirit

As Ramadan draws to a close, Salha and her husband face yet another challenge: the rising cost of clothing for their children in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Their children, like many others in the camp, eagerly await new clothes and small gifts in the form of Eidia, holding tightly to the traditions that once brought them joy.

For many displaced families in Yemen, Zakat, an obligatory form of charity given by those who can afford it, serves as a vital lifeline. It helps them cover essential needs like food, water, and clothing during Ramadan and beyond, offering relief in times of extreme hardship.

Yet, even with this support, the arrival of Eid al-Fitr brings mixed emotions for families living in displacement. While it is a time for communities to come together, sharing the joy of breaking the fast and holding onto hope for better days ahead, for many families, including Salha’s, Eid is also a painful reminder of loved ones lost or left behind because of the conflict.

“I long for the days when we dressed our children in new clothes, shared nuts and sweets, and gathered as a family,” Salha says. Like countless others in Yemen, she holds onto the hope of returning home, rebuilding their lives, and celebrating Ramadan and Eid in peace once again.