UNHCR Yemen: A Shelter from the Storm: How One Displaced Father Found Stability in Marib

For months, Ahmed laid awake at night, listening to the cold wind rip through the torn plastic sheets that barely held together his family’s shelter. Each gust threatened to tear it down, leaving his wife and nine children exposed to the elements.

Displaced from Al Jubah District, Marib Governorate, Ahmed’s family had sought refuge in Al Khirbah IDP site in Mahliya District. But like thousands of other displaced families in Yemen, their struggle did not end with finding a place to settle. The shelter — offered no real protection from the harsh winter or the relentless summer heat.

“When the wind blew, we feared the whole structure would collapse on us,” Ahmed recalled. “My children would shiver through the night, and when it rained, we had nowhere dry to sit.”

With 4.8 million people still displaced across Yemen, and 1.6 million forced to live in overcrowded, makeshift sites, shelter remains one of the most urgent needs. More than 7.5 million people in Yemen require shelter assistance, with nearly 70% living in catastrophic conditions, according OCHA’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2025.

But Ahmed was determined to find a way out.

A New Beginning

Knowing that his family could not survive another season in such dire conditions, Ahmed reached out to YGUSSWP, UNHCR’s national partner assessing urgent shelter needs in Marib. His case was quickly reviewed, and within weeks, his family was selected for the Transitional Shelter Unit (TSU) program, funded by KSrelief.

The TSU — designed to provide displaced families with durable, dignified housing solutions — would change everything for Ahmed and his children. Skilled workers arrived at the site and began construction:

• Brick walls replaced flimsy plastic sheets.
• Insulated roofing shielded the family from the elements.
• Iron doors and windows provided long-needed security.

“When we saw the new walls going up, it felt like we were finally getting our life back,” Ahmed said.

Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Dignity

Now, Ahmed’s family has a safe, sturdy home where they can sleep without fear. His children no longer wake up cold and soaked from the rain, and for the first time in months, his wife can cook meals without worrying about their shelter collapsing.

“We can finally breathe,” Ahmed shared. “This home is more than shelter — it’s a fresh start for my children.”

Ahmed is just one of thousands of displaced Yemenis receiving life-changing support through shelter programs made possible by the generous contribution of KSrelief. Their funding has played a critical role in ensuring families like Ahmed’s are not left vulnerable, helping displaced communities find stability and dignity amid crisis.

In 2025, shelter remains a lifeline for displaced families, with 40% of IDP sites at risk of fire or flooding. The continued commitment of donors like KSrelief is making a real difference — one home at a time.

For millions of displaced Yemenis, a safe home is not just a need — it’s the first step toward a better future.