Yemen’s ongoing crisis: conflict, climate, and displacement
Ali stands with his children outside of his makeshift shelter. The population of Yemen has seen consistent disruption since conflict broke out in 2014.
Since then, millions of people have been displaced. Being left exposed to the harsh and unruly climate. It is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change risks, on top of already being a water scarce country.
Climate change and shelter challenges for displaced families
Extreme weather events in addition to rising global temperatures makes living conditions extremely challenging for all populations, but especially for internally displaced people living in camps with inadequate shelter provisions, and resources.
ShelterBox and BCHR: providing emergency shelter in Yemen
ShelterBox along with our local partner BCHR are now working on our third project to support 950 households with transitional shelters and priority household items.
Our response in YemenLife before displacement: Ali’s family and farming roots
During an assessment trip our partner BCHR spoke to Ali, to better understand the needs of people. Ali was displaced with his family of 10 members; he explains what life was like before they were forced to move:
“Before displacement, we lived a stable life filled with joy and happiness in our homes that sheltered us and, on our farms, which we relied on to meet our needs.
“We never had difficulty securing our daily food because of farming, which provided all our nutritional needs.”
Forced to flee: the impact of war on Ali’s family
Like many, Ali was forced to leave with his family once the conflict reached them.
“Since I was born, I have lived in one area. In 2020, the war reached our region, and we were forced to flee to a nearby area without taking any of our belongings. Later, the war approached that area as well, so we had to flee for a second time. We came to this camp and have been settled here since 2020.”
Living conditions in displacement camps: heat, cold, and hardship
Ali told us about the difficulties of living, not just for himself but for his family. Having all been displaced since 2020.
“We live in difficult conditions. We lost our source of income and our home, and we now live in fabric tents that do not protect us from the heat of summer or the cold of winter.”
Sacrifices for survival: children out of school
“I was recently forced to stop sending my children to school so they could help me secure our livelihood by collecting plastic bottles and selling them to earn some income to help us survive.”
the link between climate and conflict?
Hope for the future: Ali’s wish for peace and stability
To close the conversation Ali was asked what he hopes the future will look like for him, and his family.
I hope this war stops, and that all displaced people return to their homes, and that the situation and living conditions improve.
Yemen update
Over 18 million people in Yemen need humanitarian support, including 4.5 million who have been displaced – many more than once.
Families are living without stable shelter, clean water, food, or medical care, and are exposed to extreme poverty and worsening climate shocks.
ShelterBox is working with our partner BCHR to support displaced families with transitional shelters and essential household items, helping them survive harsh conditions and rebuild their lives.
Learn about the Yemen crisis
