IOM Yemen: Cash-for-Work Restores Water Access and Strengthens Livelihoods in Yemen

Ma’rib/Ta’iz, Yemen 

Millions in Yemen struggle daily for safe water, with roughly 17.8 million people affected as of early 2026. Over a decade of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse has left communities facing harsh living conditions and limited livelihood opportunities. In response, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing Cash-for-Work activities, restoring water infrastructure and providing immediate income to over 600 vulnerable participants in Ma’rib and southern Ta’iz as part of the wider “Enhanced Water Resource Management for IDP Communities - Phase II” project.  

In Ma’rib, years of conflict and repeated displacement have damaged irrigation canals and strained farmland, while thousands of displaced families now depend on these overburdened systems to sustain small-scale farming and livestock. In early 2026, over 1,600 newly displaced families added further pressure on water, land, and local infrastructure, heightening competition over scarce resources. Restoring functional irrigation is therefore essential for enhancing food security and relieving community tensions. 

In Ma’rib, the intervention engaged 170 CfW participants, including 50 women, to clear canals clogged with soil and debris across Al-Jaber, Al-Gharib, and Al-Mubarak in Al-Wadi District. Water now flows to previously parched fields, enabling farmers to irrigate crops and easing competition over scarce resources. Participants earn an interim source of income while helping build more resilient agricultural systems and strengthen ownership over common community resources. 

In South Ta’iz, districts such as Al-Turbah, Al-Ma’afer, and surrounding villages face water scarcity compounded by high population density, displacement, and disrupted supply networks. Rainwater harvesting systems and household pipelines are insufficient or completely non-functional in the wake of conflict, leaving communities without a reliable source of water for household use or small-scale farming. 

In Ta’iz, 441 CfW participants (131 women and 310 men) are building diversion barriers, digging water channels, and rehabilitating valve chambers and pipelines to capture and store rainwater more effectively. These improvements boost water availability during the rainy season, enabling communities to irrigate crops and access water for household use. These interventions provide participants with a short-term income opportunity, which allows them to meet their most immediate needs and inject cash into a fragile local economy. Beyond this, Cash-for-Work activities build community resilience and are an opportunity for upskilling and re-skilling, strengthening individuals’ potential to engage in sustainable livelihoods.  

“Restoring water systems goes beyond fixing infrastructure—it directly supports families’ livelihoods and access to essential water in communities facing conflict, displacement, and competition over scarce resources,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Chief of Mission in Yemen.  

“By providing immediate income alongside rehabilitated water networks, this Cash-for-Work intervention strengthens resilience and stability for both displaced and host populations in Ma’rib and Ta’iz.” 

This activity is implemented by IOM with the support of the German Government through German Development Bank (KfW), as part of ongoing efforts to promote recovery, stability, and sustainable livelihoods in Ma’rib and Ta’iz. 

For more information, please contact: iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int