IOM Yemen: IOM and the Government of Japan Sign Agreement to Improve the Living Conditions of 293,000 People in Ma’rib, Yemen

Ma’rib, Yemen – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Government of Japan, has signed an agreement to launch an 840 million yen (approximately US$5.3 million), two-year project that will provide essential support to nearly 293,000 displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, and migrants in Ma’rib Governorate. The initiative delivers integrated assistance across health, water and sanitation (WASH), shelter, education, and disaster risk reduction, helping families recover from Yemen’s protracted crisis and strengthening access to vital services.

“This generous support from the Government of Japan will help address urgent humanitarian needs while strengthening essential services for displaced families and the communities hosting them,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Chief of Mission in Yemen. “By improving access to healthcare, safe water, shelter, supporting schools, and implementing community-led infrastructure and disaster risk reduction measures, this project will help Ma’rib’s most vulnerable populations rebuild safer and more dignified lives.”

Ma’rib has become a critical hub for displaced populations in Yemen, hosting one of the largest concentrations of displaced people in the country. The governorate now shelters nearly 1.8 million displaced people who have fled conflict and deteriorating conditions — a dramatic surge from its pre-conflict population.

The rapid growth of displacement has placed immense pressure on infrastructure and basic services. Many families live in overcrowded settlements with limited access to healthcare, safe water, sanitation, and adequate shelter. More than half of health facilities in Ma’rib have closed due to funding cuts, while over 57,000 displaced people rely on unsafe water sources. Recurrent climate shocks, including flooding, have further heightened vulnerabilities and protection risks —with recent floods destroying over 1,200 shelters.

With support from Japan, IOM will implement multi-sectoral interventions to address urgent gaps in Ma’rib City and Ma’rib Alwadi. Health services will be strengthened through medical supplies, essential equipment, and mental health and psychosocial support, reaching an estimated 90,400 patients. Rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems — including upgrades at two major hospitals and the construction of a 1,000 m³ water storage tank — will provide safe, sustainable access to clean water and hygiene facilities for over 72,600 people, reducing waterborne disease risks.

In parallel, transitional shelters and essential non-food items — such as mats, blankets, and hygiene kits— will protect 1,000 vulnerable households from environmental hazards. The project will also rehabilitate and upgrade school facilities, ensuring safe, secure learning spaces for children in displacement-affected communities. Community-led infrastructure upgrades, enhancement of electrical connections and disaster risk reduction interventions will protect IDPs and host communities from natural hazards in flood-prone locations.

By combining life-saving assistance across health, WASH, shelter, education, and disaster risk reduction, the project aims to improve living conditions, foster durable solutions, and strengthen the ability of displacement-affected communities to cope with ongoing and future challenges.

Japan’s contribution comes at a critical moment, as humanitarian funding gaps continue to widen. This initiative forms part of IOM’s broader efforts to support Yemen’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring families have the resources and support needed to recover, regain dignity, and rebuild their lives.

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