IOM Yemen: Foundations of Hope - Turning Land Into a Home for Displaced Families

Ma’rib, Yemen 

“It's not just about relocating; it’s about finding peace of mind in knowing we have a place to stay,” says Horia, a mother of four, who once nurtured her children in a village where love and peace reigned. In her community, families built their own homes, grounded in a belief that stability began at the heart of one’s home. Yet, when war engulfed Yemen, her dreams of a secure future for her family crumbled along with the peaceful village they once knew. 

As the conflict spread throughout Yemen, many families, like Horia’s, were forced to leave their homes behind. Amidst this, Ma’rib governorate became a critical refuge for those displaced by the violence. However, while Ma’rib offered safety, life in a displacement site brought its own set of harsh challenges.

When Horia and her children first arrived in Ma’rib, they sought temporary shelter in the home of a relative. For over a year, the two families shared just two rooms, holding on to the hope that they would soon return to their homes as circumstances improved. However, as time passed, the host family’s need for space grew and they expressed the need for more room to accommodate their expanding family. 

“I felt a strange disconnect from everything that once felt familiar. My heart ached as the home I once knew no longer existed.” -  Horia, Displaced Mother

Temporary Refuge

In a desperate bid to survive, her husband sold the last of their belongings. With nothing but a shelter, they relocated to Alnour displacement site, deep in the arid desert. The unforgiving, barren landscape of the camp only amplified the struggles of families already facing severe shortages of basic resources. 

With no steady income, Horia believed staying in the camp was a safer choice than risking an unstable rental situation elsewhere. However, the family was still forced to face the relentless challenges of survival in the harsh desert. 

“My financial situation has confined me to living in a tent on someone else’s land, after once owning a home,” Horia confesses. “It hurts that our makeshift tent holds no significance, when it used to represent safety and warmth for us.” 

As the conflict dragged on, another 700 displaced families found a semblance of stability in the same camp. As more people settled in the area, their makeshift shelters spread further across the land. Many families faced the daunting challenge of setting up their shelters, kitchens, and latrines within strict land restrictions, uncertain whether their homes would remain in place for long.

Land of Despair

On one of those autumn mornings, the day began under a serene, clear sky. However, it wasn’t long before dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon. A biting wind swept through the air, signaling that a storm was fast approaching. 

Amid these challenges, Horia, five months pregnant, stood desperately trying to shield her one-year-old child. Her two daughters clung to her legs as her husband struggled to hold onto their shelter, which was ultimately swept away by the storm. 

Despite the dire situation in the camp, the number of families seeking long-term settlement continued to rise. As the demand for land increased, so did its value, with the unexpected rise in costs adding another layer of hardship. Forced evictions became common on the site, creating further challenges for already displaced families. 

On a small plot of land where 50 families had built their lives, the landowner demanded that each family pay rent for the land or face eviction. In this difficult economic climate, the families could neither afford the land rental nor find a viable alternative for settling elsewhere.

Attempts at tribal mediation were made, but the efforts to reach a peaceful resolution were met with outright disagreement. The families were now confronted with the real threat of eviction and fear began to spread throughout the community.

“I couldn’t bear seeing my children scared and in tears with every argument we faced.” – Horia, Displaced Mother 

Coordinated Relief

Amidst the turmoil, Raga Mahde, a Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) field assistant with IOM, emerged as a key focal point in responding to the eviction threats. Along with her team, she worked tirelessly to coordinate efforts and provide assistance in what remained a challenging and unstable environment.

“The plight of vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, facing eviction is deeply distressing,” says Raga. “Our aim was to relocate the families in a way that would ensure their safety and preserve their dignity.”

Through close coordination with the Executive Unit for Camp Management, a piece of land was eventually allocated to host the 50 families at risk of eviction. This decision came after extensive consultations with the community, including focus-group discussions, to ensure that the relocation process met the needs and concerns of those affected.

Strength in Unity

Before any relocation, IOM teams conduct a land suitability assessment to ensure the site is safe and not at risk of flooding or other natural hazards. Once a suitable location is confirmed, IOM engineers work with the community to establish and train a maintenance committee, selected by the residents themselves. Community mobilizers are also trained to support day-to-day upkeep and contribute to longer-term infrastructure planning. This approach helps ensure the site’s sustainability while fostering a strong sense of community ownership and responsibility. 

With the support of IOM’s CCCM team, the relocated families received transitional shelters, non-food items, multi-purpose cash assistance, and vital water, sanitation, and hygiene support. The response was holistic, addressing their immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a more secure future. 

For the displaced families, the transition from fear to reassurance marked the beginning of a new chapter. The once-temporary shelters, now constructed on secured land, transformed into a resilient community, giving hope where despair had once prevailed.

FootnotesThe relocation of displaced families was made possible through the support of EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) as part of IOM’s Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) efforts.