One of the world’s worst humanitarian crises is happening in Yemen, where years of conflict have left two thirds of the population in need of humanitarian aid. We’ve been working in the country since 2012 and have reached millions of vulnerable people in that time. We now operate in 10 governorates of the country, including in the most hard-to-reach areas – helping people who’ve fled their homes, the communities that host them and those who return to rebuild their lives.
NRC in Yemen
What’s happening in Yemen?
Yemen has endured nine years of brutal conflict, leading to economic deterioration, mass displacement and the collapse of public services across the country. Houses, farms, schools and water systems have been damaged or destroyed. Fewer than half of the country’s health facilities are reported to be functioning, and millions of displaced families are now in urgent need of food and livelihoods support.
In April 2022, a truce was signed, bringing cause for hope. But although the military conflict has now quietened, there are still clashes in some parts of the country. Meanwhile, the political situation remains volatile and the economic turmoil continues – pushing the price of food and basic goods further out of reach for many people.
Sadly, it will take years of rebuilding – and huge amounts of support – to help Yemen out of its current crisis. Yet right now, funding from the international community is inadequate and has declined over the past three years, while displaced families continue to suffer.
Region: Middle East
Population: 35.2 million
Total displaced: 4.5 million
Total refugees hosted: 70,827
What’s happening in Yemen?
Yemen has endured nine years of brutal conflict, leading to economic deterioration, mass displacement and the collapse of public services across the country. Houses, farms, schools and water systems have been damaged or destroyed. Fewer than half of the country’s health facilities are reported to be functioning, and millions of displaced families are now in urgent need of food and livelihoods support.
In April 2022, a truce was signed, bringing cause for hope. But although the military conflict has now quietened, there are still clashes in some parts of the country. Meanwhile, the political situation remains volatile and the economic turmoil continues – pushing the price of food and basic goods further out of reach for many people.
Sadly, it will take years of rebuilding – and huge amounts of support – to help Yemen out of its current crisis. Yet right now, funding from the international community is inadequate and has declined over the past three years, while displaced families continue to suffer.
Our response
We’re an emergency first-line rapid responder, but we also pave the way towards recovery and durable solutions – working with our partners in the following areas:
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Water, sanitation and hygiene – providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, constructing and rebuilding water supply systems, installing latrines and handwashing facilities in schools and refugee camps, and promoting good hygiene practices.
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Shelter and settlements – delivering essential household items, providing cash assistance for rent, and supporting families with emergency, transitional and sustainable shelter solutions, as well as more permanent settlement infrastructure.
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Livelihoods and food security – distributing emergency food baskets, delivering agricultural and livestock support, providing unconditional cash assistance, and facilitating the establishment and expansion of microbusinesses.
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Education – helping children to access formal and non-formal education, providing psychosocial support, delivering teaching materials, and training young people in marketable skills, so they can improve their livelihood opportunities.
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Protection from violence – providing protection services, including community safety and violence prevention, individual protection services, and displacement site management.
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Information, counselling and legal assistance – helping people to claim and exercise their rights through information, counselling, legal assistance, collaborative dispute resolution, capacity building and advocacy.
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Advocacy – addressing the political factors that create or sustain displacement, identifying barriers that prevent people from realising their rights, and influencing people in power to change laws, policies and practices.
Our operations
NRC office established: 2012
Areas of operation: Amanat Al Asimah, Sana’a, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Amran, Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Taiz, Marib, Al-Dhale’e
Country Director: Deirdre Keogh
Contact: nrc.yemen@nrc.no
Download the factsheet for NRC in Yemen
Our impact
In 2023, we assisted 298,000 people through our programmes in Yemen:
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20,763Education
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125,530Livelihoods and food security
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10,286Shelter and settlements
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47,409Protection from violence
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17,461Information, counselling and legal assistance
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133,529Water, sanitation and hygiene
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125,530other NRC activities
Note: some people received more than one type of assistance.
