Yemen
Help amid Growing Need
Situation report
The conflict in Yemen, which has been ongoing for over ten years, has significantly worsened the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the country, particularly in 2024. The escalation of hostilities caused by the Middle East conflict resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure and a tragic loss of life. This exacerbated the already dire economic situation and further increased poverty and famine.
According to official figures, 4 out of 5 people in Yemen live in multidimensional poverty. The country has alarmingly high levels of hunger and ranks 126th out of 127 in the 2024 Global Hunger Index. More than 19.5 million people in Yemen are suffering from hunger as prices for basic foodstuffs continue to rise. Most people no longer have any source of income. In order to survive, educated people such as teachers and even university professors are now forced to join the army or militias, as these seem to be the only employers in the country still paying salaries.
In the current situation, women, children, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees, as well as ethnic and religious minorities, are the most affected and, without help or protection, are more vulnerable than ever. Sadly, drastic financial cuts to international aid organisations mean that critical programmes are having to be scaled back significantly, leaving millions of people without life-saving support. The people of Yemen are longing for help and for the conflict to end at last.
Project Implementation
In its ongoing efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people in need in Yemen, Anugerah provided extensive assistance in various regions of the country in 2024, working closely with local partners. Recognising that emergencies affect people differently, Anugerah strives to support those who are the most severely affected and to enable them to live in dignity.
Anugerah’s initiatives focused on emergency aid for internally displaced persons, widows, orphans, the elderly, children and infants, people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and members of marginalised minorities such as the Muhammasheen or Achdam/Abeed respectively. The Anugerah association provided support in the form of food parcels, emergency medical aid, clean water and educational support for schoolchildren, students, teachers and parents. In total, Anugerah’s projects reached and supported more than 55,000 people in the country. We would like to thank all those who are working tirelessly on the ground for the welfare of the suffering Yemeni population, often at considerable risk to themselves.
1. Supply of Food and Drinking Water
According to United Nations estimates, over 60% of deaths in Yemen in the last five years have been caused by a lack of access to food, water or medicine. The war has led to an economic collapse, exacerbating poverty and increasing vulnerability to diseases. Anugerah has therefore prioritised the provision of food and clean water. In 7 provinces, local partners regularly distributed food parcels to tens of thousands of the poorest families.
Yemen is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, and access to water is further restricted by the conflict. According to the latest Humanitarian Needs Overview of the United Nations, 17.4 million Yemenis, over 50% of whom are children, need support to meet their basic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs, representing a 13.7% increase compared to the previous year. This lack of clean water contributes to the spread of preventable diseases such as cholera. To combat the lack of clean water, Anugerah installed rainwater harvesting systems, filters and water treatment systems for impoverished households in particularly affected areas. This gave recipients access to clean water, prevented diseases and gave children and women more time for education and family life, as they no longer had to make the daily journeys to distant water wells.
2. Emergency Medical Aid
In 2024, Anugerah continued to provide medical support to internally displaced persons in Yemen. The measures included the distribution of hygiene kits, medical care for emergency patients and psychological support for traumatised individuals. Unfortunately, the ongoing civil war has destroyed or rendered unusable a significant portion of the country’s medical infrastructure. Anugerah is therefore committed to providing essential emergency care where necessary during these challenging times to meet the basic needs of the population and to mitigate the effects of the conflict.
3. Emergency Shelters: Help for Refugees and Orphans
As part of its humanitarian efforts in Yemen, Anugerah also provided shelters for internally displaced persons. The measures were implemented taking into account the individual needs of those affected in order to ensure targeted and effective assistance. A particular focus was placed on supporting orphans who lost their parents in the civil war and are without adult caregivers. Anugerah is committed to providing these particularly vulnerable children with a safe shelter and the necessary support to improve their living conditions and give them a stable prospect for the future.
4. School and Education
In several provinces, Anugerah enabled numerous orphans and other children and youths affected by the war to attend school in 2024. The war has destroyed many schools and displaced families, leading to high rates of child labour, child marriage and recruitment of child soldiers. An entire generation is at risk of growing up traumatised and without an education. To address this emergency, Anugerah cooperated with local authorities to support the construction and renovation of several schools. Moroever, Anugerah promoted further training for teachers and offered vocational training for adults in order to strengthen the educational infrastructure in the long term.
Project Conclusion
In 2024, the civil war in Yemen continued to claim numerous victims. The situation was further exacerbated by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Through close cooperation with local partners and thanks to generous support, Anugerah was able to provide crucial assistance in various areas. Over 55,000 people benefited from this support, which is a cause for great gratitude. In the midst of this severe crisis, Anugerah succeeded in giving hope, alleviating illnesses and inspiring confidence in a better future. With gratitude for what has been achieved and for the tireless determination of its valuable local partners, Anugerah will continue to tackle the challenges as far as possible in the face of ongoing hardship and stand by the suffering people of Yemen.
Project supported by the Canton of Berne Lottery Fund
