As people in Yemen continue to struggle to make ends meet, cash assistance is providing a vital lifeline. Mohammad’s family is one of thousands that have benefited from a programme designed to help people regain their financial stability.
Cash provides essential relief for families in Yemen
More than nine years of conflict in Yemen have been compounded by economic collapse and climate-related disasters. The humanitarian crisis in the country remains one of the world’s most pressing, with a staggering 18.6 million people – more than half the population – in need of assistance. The health system is on the brink of collapse, threatening to cut off vital medical treatment for millions.
In response to this dire situation, humanitarian aid organisations have mobilised to offer life-saving assistance. The Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY) stands at the forefront, delivering cash assistance across 13 governorates.
Established in 2020, this EU-funded programme is hosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and includes partners such as Acted, Mercy Corps (MC), Solidarités International (SI), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Designed to address the essential needs of Yemen’s conflict-affected population, the programme helps families regain stability amid their shockingly adverse conditions.
Mohammad Ali was displaced from Hodeidah and now lives on the outskirts of Sana’a. Mohammad has a severe medical condition that affects his mobility, and thus his ability to work. His inability to earn an income has left his three children seeking desperate alternatives, including going out to work themselves.
"After leaving Hodeidah, we lost our income from renting out flats in my building. With my medical condition, I can't work anywhere," says Mohammad. "One day, while I was in the hospital without money [to pay] for treatment, I learned about the Norwegian Refugee Council and their cash assistance programme."
NRC assessed Mohammad’s situation and classified his household as one of the most vulnerable, making him eligible for three months of cash assistance.
"Before receiving the assistance, I would constantly worry about paying rent, securing medicine, and putting food on the table for my children," Mohammad recalls. "While cash assistance isn’t a long-term solution, it provides a foundation for meeting our basic needs. My children can now return to school after dropping out.”
The consortium’s cash assistance programme has helped over 58,600 conflict-affected families to reduce their reliance on harmful coping strategies. For example, prior to receiving cash assistance, 46 per cent of the families resorted to child labour. This figure has since dropped to 27 per cent.
As Yemen continues to navigate the challenges posed by prolonged conflict and instability, humanitarian efforts can offer hope to vulnerable families. Families should continue to be supported to rebuild their lives, not just with short-term solutions, but also by being given sustainable pathways to a more stable, hopeful future.
More than nine years of conflict in Yemen have been compounded by economic collapse and climate-related disasters. The humanitarian crisis in the country remains one of the world’s most pressing, with a staggering 18.6 million people – more than half the population – in need of assistance. The health system is on the brink of collapse, threatening to cut off vital medical treatment for millions.
In response to this dire situation, humanitarian aid organisations have mobilised to offer life-saving assistance. The Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY) stands at the forefront, delivering cash assistance across 13 governorates.
Established in 2020, this EU-funded programme is hosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and includes partners such as Acted, Mercy Corps (MC), Solidarités International (SI), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Designed to address the essential needs of Yemen’s conflict-affected population, the programme helps families regain stability amid their shockingly adverse conditions.
Mohammad Ali was displaced from Hodeidah and now lives on the outskirts of Sana’a. Mohammad has a severe medical condition that affects his mobility, and thus his ability to work. His inability to earn an income has left his three children seeking desperate alternatives, including going out to work themselves.
"After leaving Hodeidah, we lost our income from renting out flats in my building. With my medical condition, I can't work anywhere," says Mohammad. "One day, while I was in the hospital without money [to pay] for treatment, I learned about the Norwegian Refugee Council and their cash assistance programme."
NRC assessed Mohammad’s situation and classified his household as one of the most vulnerable, making him eligible for three months of cash assistance.
"Before receiving the assistance, I would constantly worry about paying rent, securing medicine, and putting food on the table for my children," Mohammad recalls. "While cash assistance isn’t a long-term solution, it provides a foundation for meeting our basic needs. My children can now return to school after dropping out.”
The consortium’s cash assistance programme has helped over 58,600 conflict-affected families to reduce their reliance on harmful coping strategies. For example, prior to receiving cash assistance, 46 per cent of the families resorted to child labour. This figure has since dropped to 27 per cent.
As Yemen continues to navigate the challenges posed by prolonged conflict and instability, humanitarian efforts can offer hope to vulnerable families. Families should continue to be supported to rebuild their lives, not just with short-term solutions, but also by being given sustainable pathways to a more stable, hopeful future.
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