Yemen Crisis Appeal

Yemen Crisis: 21 million people are in need of humanitarian aid

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains one of the largest in the world with 9.5 million people left without food, in northern Yemen and recent military escalation hindering the ability of aid organisations to deliver critical services for vulnerable civilians.

Nearly nine years of war have left more than 21 million people – over two-thirds of the population – in desperate need of food, water, and lifesaving assistance. Millions of Yemenis are facing widespread displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services.

The impact of the recent security threat in the Red Sea is already being felt by humanitarian actors as disruption to trade is pushing up prices and causing delays in shipments of lifesaving goods. Some humanitarian organisations have been forced to suspend operations over safety and security concerns, while others assess their ability to operate.

Further escalation will have major implications for the entry of essential goods into a country heavily dependent on imports. Scarcity and increased costs of basic commodities, such as food and fuel, will only exacerbate the already dire economic crisis, increase reliance on aid and drive protection risks.

In mid-December, the suspension of the General Food Distributions (GFD) by the UN World Food Programme has worsened the already critical humanitarian situation, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Following the suspension, there is worry that this will lead to malnutrition, worsening health conditions, increased economic strain, and potentially fuel social unrest and conflict.

Islamic Relief has partnered with WFP to distribute food for many years. Through the GFD programme, Islamic Relief has been providing monthly food and cash to 1.5 million people in northern Yemen. However, these distributions have now come to an end from mid-December 2023.

We are exploring alternative sources of funding to try and resume some of these activities as soon as possible, but the crisis in Yemen is significantly underfunded. Your donations are a lifeline and allow us to keep our programmes running in Yemen. Donate now and help save lives.

Donate Zakat to Yemen Appeal

Over eight years of conflict has deepened Yemen’s poverty, devastated its infrastructure, and caused widespread hunger and suffering.

Yemen is already one of the poorest countries in the region, with tens of thousands of lives lost and over 21 million people not knowing where their next meal will come from. A country crippled by conflict is sadly now on the brink of famine.

Families are facing ongoing armed conflict, displacement, disease and economic decline, with an estimated 21 million people (over two-thirds of the population) now in need of humanitarian aid to survive – a figure so high that it is in fact the highest across the globe.

On the ground in Yemen, the situation is dire and things are getting worse each and every day.

“Since March 2015 the situation has gotten worse… essential goods such as food, have more than doubled in price…”

Sami Jassar, aid worker for Islamic Relief Yemen

Islamic Relief is on the ground in Yemen

Islamic Relief is currently on the ground in 17 of the country’s 22 governorates, delivering aid to many hard-to-reach areas. Our country office is in the capital, Sana’a, and we have eight sub-offices in Dhamar, Amran, Aden, Taiz, Hodeida, Saada, Maarib and Rymah.

With your support we have been able to:

• Provide essential food aid to 2 million people every month
• Help over 800,000 people access clean drinking water
• Establish 167 health facilities across the country to enable doctors and nurses working to treat wounded, sick and malnourished people
• Support children through child protection and psycho-social support activities

Image: rightsholders receiving Qurbani meat from Islamic Relief.

Image: Islamic Relief teams distributing winter essentials to rightsholders in Yemen.

Image: rightsholders in Yemen receive food packages from Islamic Relief.

Why the people of Yemen need your help

One of the world’s poorest countries, Yemen now teeters on the brink of famine after years of conflict, economic downturn and shortfalls in humanitarian funding. Some 24 million people depend on urgent humanitarian aid to survive.

The tragedy has reached epic proportions, with a child dying every 10 minutes from preventable causes like diarrhoea, breathing infections and malnutrition. More than 4 million people are internally displaced and humanitarian access is difficult.

Donate Now

$110 can provide specialised nutrition to two malnourished people in Yemen

$125 can provide a family with water for one month

$165 can feed a family for one month*

We can do more. We must do more. Please donate now and save lives.

* Due to ongoing conflict, blockades and delays in food imports, the food prices in Yemen constantly fluctuate. At times food prices have more than doubled during the ongoing conflict which began in March 2015. Islamic Relief Yemen continues to provide life-saving aid to those most in need through its partnership work with international organisations such as the World Food Programme. We will regularly update price handles to reflect the current situation on the ground.