Dorcas Yemen
Building resilience in Yemeni communities
We see communities affected by conflict, food insecurity and climate shocks. Our programmes therefore focus on Crisis Response, Livelihoods and Food Security, Water, and Climate Adaptation. The result is communities that start to flourish asd become less dependent on humanitarian assistance.
Context in Yemen
About Yemen
Yemen faces the world's worst development and humanitarian crisis. Years of conflict, weak governance and economic collapse have left millions in need. Compounding economic decline, reduced funding and the steady erosion of essential services push families deeper into vulnerability every year. Climate shocks, natural disasters and degraded productive means threaten livelihoods and food security. Women, youth, the Muhamasheen, internally displaced persons and people with disabilities face particularly severe barriers to services and economic opportunity – and are too often left furthest behind.
Dorcas in Yemen
Dorcas Yemen has been active since 2021, operating across Aden, Al Dhalea and Taiz Governorates, with planned expansion into Abyan based on humanitarian needs. Working through a mix of direct implementation and national partners, our work has grown from emergency response to integrated humanitarian and development programming. We support local NGOs and subnational authorities in leading coordination, social inclusion and recovery efforts. Our long-term presence and partnerships enable us to address food insecurity, rebuild productive means and support inclusive recovery.
By 2030, we envision a Yemen where:
What we do
Programmatic themes
Dorcas Yemen works through four programmatic themes. All programmes integrate gender equality, inclusion, climate sensitivity and community ownership.
We provide life-saving support while linking emergency aid to recovery and resilience. In Taiz Governorate, we enabled 3,750 individuals to meet their basic food needs by distributing minimum food baskets across six cycles. A further 6,286 individuals were supported with multipurpose cash assistance for food across Taiz, Aldhalee and Aden Governorates. Across our programmes, 10,036 individuals received Crisis Response support.
We improve access to water and support climate-resilient water management. People received access to sufficient and safe water for domestic use through repair and maintenance of water systems, solar panel installation, distribution of ceramic water filters, rainwater harvesting tanks and hygiene awareness promotion. Across our programmes, 24,706 individuals received access to sufficient safe water in the period 2020 to 2025.
We strengthen livelihoods, create job opportunities and support inclusive economic recovery. Across Taiz and Al Dhale'e governorates, we enabled people to protect and rebuild their assets through vocational training, drip irrigation, distribution of farming inputs, agricultural and livestock kits, solar technician training and women's empowerment training. Across our programmes, 583 individuals received Livelihoods and Food Security support.
We support climate-resilient livelihoods and environmental recovery. In Taiz Governorate, Dorcas implemented anticipatory flood mitigation interventions including construction of a box culvert bridge, retaining walls, gabions and irrigation channels. Across our programmes, flood impacts were reduced for 1,475 individuals in the period 2020 to 2025.
Khalid's Story
Khalid is a father of ten living in one of Yemen's most drought affected regions. Like many families in the area, his household has been pushed to the edge by years of conflict, poverty and environmental decline. With limited access to water and no reliable source of income, providing for his children became an overwhelming challenge.
Through Dorcas' livelihood and WASH programmes, Khalid received support that helped him restore his ability to care for his family. His story reflects the resilience of Yemeni communities and the difference that targeted, community based assistance can make in the lives of those who need it most.
Promoting access to safe water
Our impact in 2020-2025
Overall impact
- 158,437 people reached.
- 10 communities served.
- 4 partners strengthened.
Livelihoods and Food Security
- 5,770 people were supported through our Livelihoods and Food Security programme.
- 5,770 people received multipurpose cash assistance.
Protection
- 40,003 people were supported through our Water programme.
How we work
Local leadership and partnerships
Dorcas Yemen works with local, national and international partners, including government institutions, civil society organisations, research institutes, private-sector actors and community groups. Our partnerships are built on trust, shared values and long-term commitment. Partnerships are not peripheral to our work — they are central to how we operate, how we learn and how we deliver lasting impact.
- ITDC (International Training and Development Center)
- LOYAC
- Medair
- NMO
- Pharus Foundation
- Shared values and mutual respect
- Complementary strengths
- Transparent communication
- Long-term commitment
- Local leadership
- Joint learning and adaptation
Partnership and investment opportunities
We seek partners who share our commitment to climate resilience, local leadership and long-term impact. We welcome programme partnerships, institutional funding, research collaborations and private-sector engagement.
'Our partnership with Dorcas has significantly enhanced the quality and sustainability of our work. Support and training from Dorcas improved our team's capacity to plan and implement psychological support programmes and ensure safe and effective access to them for groups in vulnerable situations.'
Meet our Country Director
Jose Salema
'Yemen stands at a crossroads. Millions of families face compounding economic decline, reduced funding and the steady erosion of essential services. Our vision is a Yemen where communities move beyond survival towards resilience, dignity and sustainable recovery. Since 2021, Dorcas has built principled, locally grounded partnerships that bridge humanitarian response, development, climate resilience, and economic transformation. As we pursue our 2026 to 2030 strategy, I invite you to explore collaboration with us. Whether you are a donor, an institution or a like-minded organisation, there is a place for you in this work. Together, we can realise our vision for Yemen.'
Contact
Dorcas office
Dorcas Aid International
PO Box 1500, 1300 BM Almere
The Netherlands
