Attachments
IOM Vision
In 2024, IOM in Yemen will continue responding to vast humanitarian and protection needs through the provision of lifesaving multisectoral humanitarian and specialized protection assistance in addition to supporting communities transition from a state of crisis to recovery. IOM will seek to meet immediate needs while simultaneously addressing the pre-existing drivers of fragility and improving access to durable solutions, in an effort to reduce the reliance of populations of concern on humanitarian aid. In conjunction with a frontline response, IOM supports the restoration of household and public infrastructure to enhance communities' self-sufficiency and promote local ownership of recovery efforts.
Context analysis
Nine years of conflict has resulted in millions of individuals across Yemen grappling to meet their most basic needs daily. The destruction of public infrastructure, coupled with economic decline, has led to considerable suffering across the country. According to the 2024 Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), an estimated 4.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), 308,000 migrants and millions of conflict-affected host community members have been severely impacted by the conflict. Although a six-month UN-brokered truce enacted in April 2022 has continued to greatly reduce active hostilities and facilitate the entrance of fuel ships among other developments , severe humanitarian needs persist where the most basic resources are not available to ensure safety, dignity or protection.
The economic crisis in Yemen has been exacerbated by the crisis in Ukraine, as the country's fragile economy is largely dependent on imported food and goods and where public sector salaries remain unpaid. As a result, the purchasing power of many households is weak, leading to the use of harmful coping mechanisms. According to the 2024 Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), more than 50 per cent of the population are unable to access sufficient food, safe water or health services, contributing to growing tensions and competition over resources.
Moreover, Yemen continues to be a transit country for migrants from the Horn of Africa in hopes of reaching neighbouring Gulf countries. In 2023, migrant arrivals to the country increased, with more than 97,000 individuals arriving by the end of December, surpassing total arrivals in 2023 (more than 73,000) according to arrivals recorded as part of IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) flow monitoring data. However, as one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in Yemen, migrants throughout the country are vulnerable to the risk of grave violence, exploitation, and abuse including trafficking in persons.
According to the INFORM Climate Change Risk Index, Yemen is ranked third among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Vulnerable populations across the country face significant risks as a result of severe seasonal rains, flooding, and other disasters destroying infrastructure and belongings and resulting in loss of life and livelihoods. The impact of climate change in conjunction with water scarcity further renders access to water for domestic use and irrigation more challenging.
As of 2024, according to the HNO, more than 18.2 million people in Yemen are in need of humanitarian assistance at a time when funding has been on a concerning decline.