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With millions in Yemen struggling to afford food, shelter, and other essentials, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with support from Qatar Charity, has provided Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) to more than 18,500 people over the past two years, surpassing the project’s original target of around 12,000.
“Cash assistance allows families to prioritize their needs in the most dignified way possible,” said Abdusattor Esoev, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Yemen. “At a time when many households struggle to afford essentials like food and shelter, financial flexibility gives them the power to make the best choices for their families. Beyond addressing immediate needs, this project strengthens the local market and contributes to broader community resilience.”
Designed as an urgent response to conflict, natural hazards, and economic instability, this initiative has provided displaced and host communities in some of Yemen’s hardest-hit areas with the means to meet their basic needs while also supporting local markets. By giving families financial flexibility, the assistance empowers them to make choices that best suit their circumstances, reducing reliance on aid and fostering greater economic stability.
As of 2025, an estimated 19.5 million people in Yemen require humanitarian aid, a significant increase from the previous year. Many families, including those displaced by conflict, have lost their livelihoods and can no longer afford essentials such as food, medicine, and fuel.
Beyond meeting immediate needs, cash assistance plays a crucial role in revitalizing local economies. Findings from the Cash Consortium of Yemen indicate that in some areas, every USD 1 of cash assistance can generate up to USD 2.56 in local economic activity, significantly surpassing regional and global averages.
The project targeted some of Yemen’s most vulnerable areas, including Ma’rib, Shabwah and Hadramout, where conflict and economic instability have made daily survival increasingly difficult. With limited access to income opportunities and rising living costs, many families are forced to make impossible choices between food, shelter, and other essentials.
For 21-year-old Anwar, originally from Al Hodeidah and now displaced in Ma’rib, the assistance was a lifeline. Despite working multiple jobs, including washing cars and transporting goods, he still struggled to afford basic necessities for his household.
“Thanks to the three installments of cash assistance, I was able to keep my family afloat during a difficult time,” he said. “This helped me plan ahead and even start saving, something I never thought was possible before.”
Beyond covering immediate needs, MPCA has allowed Anwar to regain a sense of control over his future. By reducing financial stress, the assistance has given him the space to focus on securing more stable opportunities and improving his family’s living conditions.
As Yemen continues to face conflict, displacement, and economic instability, short-term initiatives such as MPCA remain critical to helping families afford basic needs like shelter, food, and medicine. Expanding these efforts will take more resources and collaboration, but for many families, it could mean the difference between just getting by and having a chance to rebuild their lives.
For more information, please contact:
Monica Chiriac, Media and Communications Officer: mchiriac@iom.int
IOM Yemen’s Communications Team: iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int