Yemen - IOM Yemen is continuing to deliver life-saving shelter and non-food relief items (NFIs) to vulnerable families affected by conflict in Yemen’s war-torn Abyan and Shabwah governorates.

The conflict between Yemeni government forces and militant groups linked to Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in the area intensified during the months of April and May 2014. 

Yemen’s Executive Unit for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and UNOCHA estimate that in May alone the conflict displaced up to 25,000 people in two governorates.

Thousands of families were forced to flee from their homes in several affected districts, in particular Ar Rawdah, Ataq and Mayfa’a in Shabwah and Al-Mahfad in Abyan.

IOM was the first international organization to access affected areas after the fighting and provided immediate emergency relief to IDPs and host communities.

By November, the vast majority of IDP families had returned to devastated communities in Abyan and Shabwah, but intermittent conflict throughout both governorates and the high probability of further displacement continues to threaten the safety and welfare of local people.

IOM and partners have identified over 40,000 individuals in need of immediate emergency assistance, including returnees and conflict-affected households.

IOM has already helped 719 households in Abyan – approximately 5,299 individuals – and 2,900 households in Shabwa – approximately 19,600 individuals – with NFI, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), dignity and reconstruction kits.

Kits include essential shelter and relief items, including tarpaulins, mattresses, blankets, cooking kits, basic building tools, rope, soap, water filters, jerry cans and water basins.

IOM has also provided 11,292 women and girls with dignity kits including abayas, headscarves, sandals, sanitary items and additional essential items of clothing.

“The security situation in Abyan and Shabwa still remains very dangerous and unpredictable. Government imposed curfews restrict movements, but fortunately IOM has been able to overcome operational constraints thanks to the support of the people we help. We are still one of only a handful of organizations active in the area,” said Ali Aljefri, an Emergency Operations Assistant at IOM Yemen’s Aden sub-office.

IOM identified the most vulnerable communities for this project in coordination with district heads, local council members, the Executive Unit for IDPs, UNOCHA and humanitarian cluster partners. The intervention is funded through the UN’s Emergency Response Funds (ERF).

For more information, please contact

Dax Bennett Roque

IOM Yemen

Tel. +967 (1) 410-568/572

Email: droque@iom.int