Yemen’s crisis escalates: Dorcas starts emergency response for displaced families 

Yemen has been facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises for many years. Long-running conflict, economic instability, and the deterioration of essential services have left millions struggling to meet their basic needs. For many families, daily life is filled with uncertainty, repeated displacement, and limited access to food, clean water, shelter, and protection.

Now, renewed violence and escalating tensions are further exacerbating an already fragile situation. Since early September 2026, fighting along Yemen’s western coast and southern frontlines has forced more than 200,000 people to flee. According to data released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 7 October, the number of displaced people increased from 76,000 in mid-September to 201,217 in just a few weeks. Nearly all of these people had fled since 1 September, emphasising the speed and severity of this latest escalation. For many families, this is not the first time they have been forced to start again from scratch. This latest wave of displacement is part of a wider crisis that has been disrupting lives for years.

Urgent support for families displaced by renewed violence

In response to the current escalation of violence, Dorcas is preparing a three-month rapid response programme to support families who have recently been displaced. Building on our existing presence in the country, we will support 500 households in Zinjibar, Abyan, representing 2,811 people.

These households will receive multipurpose cash assistance, enabling them to address their most urgent needs with dignity and flexibility. Around 100 households will also receive essential non-food items (NFIs). Dorcas will prioritise families facing the greatest protection risks, female-headed households, families with older people or infants, pregnant or lactating women, and people with disabilities. All urgent protection needs that arise during the delivery process will be referred to the relevant service providers. This timely support will be invaluable to families who are already under immense pressure and are now experiencing even greater hardship.

Dorcas’ ongoing commitment in Yemen

Dorcas has been present in Yemen since 2019, officially opening our country office in Aden in 2021. Since then, we have collaborated with local partner organisations to support communities affected by conflict and instability. Our work focuses on crisis response, livelihoods and food security, water, and climate adaptation.

By working with local partners, we can ensure that our response is grounded in the realities of Yemeni communities. In such a complex and rapidly changing situation, this enables Dorcas Yemen to act with care and accountability, prioritising those in need.