More than a decade of conflict in Yemen has pushed civilians into increasingly desperate living conditions, with communities heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival. Climate shocks, mass displacement and a deepening economic crisis have further eroded access to essential services, leaving families with limited resources and few sustainable options. In response, Concern is working across the country with programmes focused on water, sanitation, health, nutrition and emergency support to address the most urgent needs.
Access to water remains one of Yemen’s most critical challenges, especially in Ta’iz governorate, where the destruction of infrastructure, displacement and climate pressures have intensified scarcity. In many rural areas, people rely on diesel-powered pumps or costly water trucking, which are neither financially nor environmentally sustainable. To address this, Concern and its local partner Generation without Qat rehabilitated the Alhamili water project, restoring safe water access for more than 1,600 people. Before the project, families—mostly women and children—walked long distances to collect water from unsafe sources, risking injury and missing school or work. The rehabilitation included well repairs, installation of a solar-powered pumping system, network improvements and new storage tanks, giving communities reliable, affordable and safe water close to home.
The restored water system has not only eased daily hardships but also contributed to improved public health and better service delivery. A nearby health facility has now connected to the system, ensuring clean water for its operations and enhancing the quality of care. This progress supports global goals on clean water, sanitation and health, offering a vital step forward in a region struggling with disease outbreaks and widespread malnutrition.
Malnutrition remains a major threat, especially for displaced families who face severe food insecurity and limited access to healthcare. Fatima, a young child living in a displacement camp in Lahj governorate, represents one of many such cases. Her family’s difficult living conditions and declining humanitarian assistance left her dangerously malnourished. With support from Concern-trained community health volunteers, Fatima was screened, referred to a clinic and enrolled in a therapeutic feeding programme. Through regular monitoring, nutrition counselling and routine medical care—including the provision of ready-to-use therapeutic food—she was able to recover fully.
Her mother described the clinic as a lifeline, offering free medication and nutrition services that families in the camp could not otherwise afford. However, these gains are threatened by recent funding cuts that have forced over 2,000 therapeutic feeding centres across Yemen to close. With more than half of all children under five affected by chronic malnutrition, the loss of these services places countless young lives at risk despite the fact that these conditions are entirely preventable.
